Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve is pinched by a bone spur on the vertebrae or a herniated disk in the spine. In rare cases, the nerve would be damaged by an illness or compressed by a tumor. Some risk factors for developing sciatica include:
– Obesity: Excess body weight would put more stress on the spine, leading to spinal changes that cause sciatica.
– Age: Some spinal changes over time, such as bone spurs and herniated disks, may cause sciatica.
– Prolonged sitting: If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or sit too much, the risk of sciatica can be higher than individuals with an active lifestyle.
– Occupation: The risk would be higher in those jobs that require prolonged sitting, heavy carrying, or back twisting.
– Diabetes: This disease may affect how the body processes blood sugar, which increases the risk of nerve damage. [2]
