Lower back pain is extremely common these days. Almost every adult has suffered from some form of pain in their lower back at some point in their lives. This pain can range wildly in severity and it caused by a number of health issues.
Younger adults, up to around 60 years of age, normally suffer from muscle related lower back pain. In some cases, the pain can also stem from within the spinal disk itself. The symptoms of lower back pain can vary a lot and each one has a different cause. Let’s have a look at some of the most common symptoms and their causes.
If you experience sharp and severe low back pain after lifting a heavy object or performing a sudden activity, then the cause of the pain is likely to be a muscle strain. The muscles can feel sore to touch, pain is dull and achy and makes it hard to move around or even stand up. This type of pain normally goes away on its own with a little rest, some light back exercises and a hot/cold compress.
Another type of lower back pain is often accompanied by a tingling sensation in the legs and buttocks. It lasts very long and doesn’t go away after a few days. The pain can travel as far down as your lower leg and feet. This pain is usually caused by a herniated disk in the spine and can be difficult to treat if not taken seriously. See a good spinal health professional for advice.
Chronic lower back pain which doesn’t extend into your lower leg and isn’t accompanied by a tingling sensation is often caused by degenerative disk disease. This pain worsens after sitting for long periods of time and normally goes away after a long walk or by changing positions often. The treatment for this type of pain is relatively easy, but it needs to be addressed early on. Consult a physician for a personalized treatment plan.
Posted in Conditions | Tagged back pain, young adult |
We all have problems sleeping from time to time. However, when sleep becomes so scarce that it starts to negatively affect your daily life, work and relationship, you should be worried.
There are many causes of sleeplessness or insomnia and it would be nearly impossible to cover them all in this article. With that in mind, there are several universal natural sleep aids that can help most people improve their sleep. Let’s have a quick look at some of them!
High quality green tea (not tea drinks or any other processed alternatives) is a source of a very important amino acid called L-theanine. This protein helps us control anxiety and improves sleep.
Passionflower is commonly referred to as a great natural sleep aid. It’s a herb that is mostly taken in supplement form and can be difficult to find in stores.
Dried hops act as a calming agent that helps relax body muscles and reduce anxiety. The hops found in beer have no positive effect on your sleep, so keep that in mind.
Melatonin is the most common sleep aid, but it needs to be taken with caution. This remedy doesn’t work well for everyone and some people find themselves waking up after a few hours of deep sleep, not able to fall back asleep. Take in small doses and don’t use it as a long term cure for sleep problems.
Personally, I find that exercising regularly and having a healthy diet helps me sleep better. You don’t need to become a professional athlete to reap the many benefits of exercise. A 20 minute run 2-3 times a week can improve your sleep immensely! If you don’t feel like running, then try to find time for a 30-45 minute walk every evening. Do this instead of watching telly or browsing the internet and you’ll see positive results within days.
Lastly, I’d like to mention that insomnia can be a symptom of other health conditions or severe stress & anxiety. If you are unsure which remedies would suit you best, it’s always advisable to talk to a physician first.
Posted in Natural Health, Sleep | Tagged hops, melatonin, natural, passionflower, sleep |
If you experience sharp and severe low back pain after lifting a heavy object or performing a sudden activity, then the cause of the pain is likely to be a muscle strain. The muscles can feel sore to touch, pain is dull and achy and makes it hard to move around or even stand up. This type of pain normally goes away on its own with a little rest, some light back exercises and a hot/cold compress.