4 Risk Factors That Make Men More Susceptible to Disc Herniation and Sciatica

Almost anyone who’s had sciatica due to a herniated disc agrees that it’s an experience they’d rather not repeat. One of the best ways to stay ahead of this type of back pain is to understand your risk factors and change them. 

The lifetime prevalence of sciatica is between 10 and 40%, and the health issue occurs equally in men and women. That said, men are more at risk for sciatica and herniated discs thanks to certain factors.

Given that June is National Men's Health Month,  the team of spine health experts at SOAR Spine and Orthopedics covers some of these risk factors for herniated discs and sciatica in more detail here.

A quick look at herniated discs and sciatica

Before we dive into risk factors among men, let’s first review disc-related sciatica. In brief, if one of the intervertebral discs becomes damaged and bulges out of its space, it can irritate sensitive nerve roots and fibers that exit your spinal canal. 

With sciatica, a piece of herniated disc presses up against your sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body — it starts in your lower back and then splits and travels down each of your legs, all the way to your feet.

Sciatica symptoms can be in your lower back, but they often extend down into one of your legs, and you might experience numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness.

Now let’s look at risk factors that are more common in men.

1. Smoking as a risk factor for sciatica

In the US, nearly 30 million American adults smoke, including 13% of men and 10% of women, and smoking is a major risk factor for sciatica and disc issues.

When you smoke, nicotine constricts your blood vessels and prevents oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from delivering key resources to your discs, which can leave them dehydrated and brittle, and more prone to herniation.

2. Diabetes and your spine health

There are more than 40 million Americans who have diabetes, and men outpace women with this chronic condition — nearly 15% of men have diabetes compared to slightly more than 12% of women.

Diabetes is a condition that can lead to neuropathy, or nerve damage, and this includes your sciatic nerve. As a result, people with diabetes are more vulnerable to sciatica.

3. Weight as a risk factor for sciatica

Did you know that more than 40% of adults, including millions of men, in the United States are obese? When you carry excess pounds, you can wear your intervertebral discs down prematurely, which sets the stage for herniated discs and sciatica.

4. Occupation as a risk factor for low back issues

If you’re in a job that requires heavy lifting, you’re at risk for disc-related sciatica. And men are more often found in these occupations than women.

Staying one step ahead of sciatica

With this list of risk factors, there is room for improvement. For example, if you have diabetes, it’s essential to manage your glucose levels to prevent nerve damage. Or, if you smoke, you should pursue quitting. 

Also, if you’re carrying excess pounds, there’s never been a better time to lose weight thanks to new weight-loss drugs.

Lastly, if you have a job that stresses your back, consider protecting your back as much as possible with braces and better lifting techniques.

Should back pain still strike, the good news is that we’ve got you covered with effective treatments that can relieve your sciatica symptoms.

To learn more about sciatica prevention and treatment, contact us today at one of our offices in Santa Clara or Redwood City, California, to schedule an appointment.