A “slipped disc” is the common cause of sciatica which occurs when one of the discs present between the spinal bones or vertebrae gets damaged and presses the nerves. However, the reason for the damage is still not known. As you become old, your discs become less flexible and more likely to rupture.
The conditions that increase the risk of sciatica include:
Age: age-related changes in the spine or vertebrae, such as herniated disks and bone spurs
Obesity: Being overweight increases the stress on your spine that triggers sciatica
Prolonged sitting: if you have a sedentary lifestyle and sit for prolonged periods then you are more likely to develop sciatica than other people
Diabetes: this condition increases the risk of nerve damage
Carrying heavy loads or driving motor vehicles for a long period might increase the risk of having sciatica.
The condition can be managed on its own without any treatment in few patients. But if the symptoms are persistent, and the condition is left untreated, then you may end up with permanent nerve damage. Therefore, do not ignore if you have loss of sensation or weakness in the affected leg, loss of bowel or bladder function.