Even people with the mild progression of spinal stenosis often feel chronic fatigue from just managing acute or chronic pains that come with having the condition.
In the lumbar spine, stenosis results in pressure on the nerve roots, which causes symptoms of pain, fatigue, weakness or numbness in the legs that is made worse with activity such as walking. With severe stenosis people can often walk less than a block before they have to stop and rest.
If you have lumbar spinal stenosis, you may have trouble walking distances or find that you need to lean forward to relieve pressure on your lower back. You may also have pain or numbness in your legs. In more severe cases, you may have difficulty controlling your bowel and bladder.
Most people with spinal stenosis cannot walk for a long period without having significant pain. More serious symptoms include: Difficulty or poor balance when walking. Problems controlling urine or bowel movements.
Research has shown that fatigue can be a symptom of upper cervical spine issues, such as misalignment or degeneration. This type of fatigue is typically caused by pain in the upper neck and shoulders, which can be the result of restricted movement in the spine due to spinal misalignments or damage.
Common causes of tiredness and fatigue include: not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia) an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.
Many cases of tiredness are due to stress, not enough sleep, poor diet and other lifestyle factors. Try these self-help tips to restore your energy levels. If you feel you're suffering from fatigue, which is an overwhelming tiredness that isn't relieved by rest and sleep, you may have an underlying medical condition.
Persistent, frequent, and sudden bouts of headaches. Memory loss. Weakness or cramping of the muscles. Numbness, tingling, and general discomfort.
Spinal stenosis in the lower back can cause pain or cramping in one or both legs. This happens when you stand for a long time or when you walk. Symptoms get better when you bend forward or sit. Some people also have back pain.
High-impact activities: Activities that involve high-impact, such as jumping, running, or contact sports, should be avoided as they can cause further injury to the spine. Heavy lifting: Heavy lifting can put a lot of stress on your spine and exacerbate your symptoms.
More serious symptoms that need prompt attention include: Difficulty or poor balance when walking. Worsening numbness and weakness of your limb. Problems controlling urine or bowel movements.
Weill Cornell Medicine Pain Management offers a new technology to treat spinal stenosis and minimize the painful symptoms. Vertiflex superion is a device that is implanted into the area of the spine causing pain and relieves pressure on the affected nerves.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis in the lower back can include: Pain in the lower back. Burning pain or ache that radiates down the buttocks and into the legs, that typically worsens with standing or walking and gets better with leaning forward (flexion).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation. Examples of over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Analgesics help relieve pain but don't affect inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a common analgesic used for spinal stenosis.
Typically, spinal stenosis progresses at a slow pace if it's not treated properly. As the condition advances, the open space in the spinal canal continues to decrease. Eventually, spinal stenosis can lead to nerve impingement as the spinal canal presses on nearby nerves.
Walking is a suitable exercise for you if you have spinal stenosis. It is low-impact, and you can easily vary the pace as needed. Consider a daily walk (perhaps on your lunch break or as soon as you get home).
In spinal stenosis, people typically experience less pain with leaning forward, and especially with sitting. Studies of the lumbar spine show that leaning forward can increase the space available for the nerves. Pain is usually made worse by standing up straight and walking.
This puts pressure on nerves and the spinal cord, causing pain in the back and lower body. The condition may also affect the stomach and urinary system. Spinal stenosis is more common in people 50 years old or older.
Spinal stenosis can occur in the neck or lower back. In the neck, it can cause symptoms anywhere further down in your body. Low back or lumbar stenosis causes symptoms in the back or legs only.
People with spinal stenosis may experience numbness, weakness or cramping in legs, pain going down the leg, abnormal bowel or bladder function, and loss of sexual function. In severe cases, spinal stenosis may cause partial or complete leg paralysis that requires emergency medical treatment.
Yes! Walking is a good exercise for spinal stenosis. It's low impact, and you control the pace and distance. If you're able to walk without symptoms, incorporate this activity into your routine.
Mental laziness and lack of motivation can also be caused by one simple problem: not having enough exercise and nutrients in the body. One should consider eating healthy food high in protein, such as green, leafy vegetables, and fatty fish. Research also suggests eating berries and walnuts and drinking coffee or tea.
You may feel sleepy after a full night's sleep due to a medical condition. Medical conditions that can make you tired, or make it hard to meet your sleep need, include: Sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Iron deficiency anemia.
If the fatigue is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, or sense of imminent passing out, these are urgent conditions that warrant immediate medical attention.