What Could be Causing Sciatica?

What Causes Sciatica?

In order to hopefully treat and prevent recurrence of sciatica we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow sciatica to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind sciatica consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to sciatica. Here are two possibilities:

Dehydration
Poor Musculoskeletal Health

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

brittle fingernails

coffee consumption

herniated disc(s)

dizziness when standing up

high diastolic blood pressure

dry eyes

severe emotional instability

frequent 'chills'

dark urine color

being highly lethargic

infrequent daytime urination

indoor allergies

... and more than 30 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of sciatica:

Cause	Probability	Status
Poor Musculoskeletal Health	92%	Confirm
Dehydration	61%	Possible

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate problems with limbs, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Do you experience pain that radiates from your lower spine to your buttock, and down the back of your leg(s)? It is sometimes accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness. This is known as Sciatica.

Possible responses:

→ I never had it / don't know
→ Probably/minor episode now resolved
→ Major episode now resolved
→ Current minor problem
→ Current major problem

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either history of sciatica or sciatica, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Poor Musculoskeletal Health

Dehydration

Dehydration can lead to dehydrated intervertebral disks in the spine which can impinge upon the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™