Sciatica is generally felt after doing sports or physical activity that is quite strenuous. However, in certain conditions, rheumatic pain can be a sign of a disease that you need to be aware of.
Sciatica can be experienced by anyone, including athletes who regularly exercise. Sciatica can be felt in various parts of the body such as the neck, back, hands, and feet. Recognize the difference between rheumatic pain due to exercise and disease, so that you are no longer mistaken in responding to it.
Recognizing Sciatica Caused by Sports
Sciatica caused by exercise usually occurs when a person has just started exercising, increases the duration or increases the intensity of the usual exercise. Pain occurs because the muscles experience excessive physical pressure. It could also be because the muscles work harder than usual.
Generally, pain is felt immediately after exercising or doing physical activity that is quite strenuous. However, there is also rheumatic pain that is only felt about 1-2 days after exercising, this condition is called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Sciatica occurs because the pressure causes small tears in the muscles, as the muscles try to adapt to the physical activity being carried out. Generally, rheumatic pain will slowly decrease after the muscles get used to the exercise routine.
Sciatica due to exercise will generally subside by itself in a short time of 1-2 days or at least less than five days. There are several ways that can be done to relieve pain due to exercise, such as:
- Get enough rest
- Doing massage
- Cold compress on the sore area
- Take anti-inflammatory and painkillers as directed by your doctor.
To minimize the possibility of sciatica, it is recommended to warm up before exercising. Also, do not change the intensity and duration of the exercise to extremes. Change gradually, so the muscles can adapt over time.
However, if the rheumatic pain is very annoying and doesn't go away, you are advised to see a doctor. Especially if there is swelling or bruising in the area experiencing rheumatic pain.
Marking Sciatica as a Symptoms of Disease
On the other hand, rheumatic pain can also be caused by side effects of taking drugs and symptoms of certain diseases or infections. In this condition, rheumatic pain can be felt in any part of the body, for no apparent reason.
Sciatica can occur as a result of taking statin cholesterol drugs, high blood pressure drugs group ACE inhibitors, or as a result of viral infections including the flu, bacterial infections, inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus disease, and thyroid disease.
You are advised to see a doctor, especially if the pain you feel does not go away even though it has been treated, especially if it is accompanied by:
- Muscles feel very weak
- Hard to breathe
- Head dizzy or feel spinning
- Neck feels stiff
- High fever
- Swelling or redness around the muscle that feels sore
- There are tick or mite bite marks on areas of the body that feel sore
- Urine color becomes darker
Do not underestimate the feeling of rheumatic pain in the body. Check with your doctor if the pain continues to interfere with your activities, because this can be a "signal" of a serious condition.
