Health Advice

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Head Lice – Help!!!

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

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Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

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Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

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Life Pharmacy Ireland – Live Better

Bringing you the best health advice for your family

NHS Choices - Causes of a slipped disc

(06/08/2014)

A slipped disc occurs when the circle of connective tissue surrounding the disc breaks down. This allows the soft, gel-like part of the disc to swell and protrude out.

It is not always clear what causes the connective tissue to break down. However, slipped discs are often the result of increasing age.

As you get older, your spinal discs start to lose their water content. This makes them less flexible and more likely to split.

There are a number of other factors that can put increased pressure and strain on your spine. These include:

  • bending awkwardly
  • jobs that involve heavy or awkward lifting
  • jobs that involve lots of sitting, particularly driving
  • smoking
  • being overweight or obese
  • weightbearing sports, such as weightlifting
  • a traumatic injury to your back, such as a fall or car accident

Situations such as these can weaken the disc tissue and can sometimes lead to a slipped disc.

Connective tissue
Connective tissues help provide support and structure to other tissue and organs.

Back to Slipped disc