What Is A Degenerative Disc?
With age, the cartilage of the body becomes thin and more fragile. This in turn leads to the discs and joints being more vulnerable to usage. This gradual deterioration of the discs present between the vertebrae in the spine is known as a degenerative disc. It is also known as spondylosis.
Age also contributes to the fact that the amount of water in the invertebral discs also lessens which causes the area between the discs to become considerably narrower. The clinical signs may not be apparent in the twenties and thirties but as one grows older, chances of this disease taking place tends to become higher.
The cervical, thoracic and the lumbar portions of the spine are most commonly affected by a degenerative disc. The upper spine is especially affected by the cervical degenerative disc disease and can cause problems in the neck region. Thoracic disc disease happens when the mid-spine experiences pain. When the lower back or the lumbar area of the spine experiences pain, then that person is considered to be suffering from lumbar disc disease.
Reasons for the disease which results in degenerative disc Smoking: One of the prime culprits for causing degenerative disc is smoking. A survey has revealed that smokers are more prone to having degenerative disc problems. Nicotine: Intake of nicotine hampers the absorption of nutrients from the blood because carbon dioxide gets absorbed into the blood stream and then the tissues of blood also get affected. The result is malnourished discs which may lead to ruptured discs. This also causes degenerative discs. Cough: Smokers tend to cough more which puts pressure on the spine thus increasing the chances of degenerative discs. Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle contributes in no small measure to acute back ache which is linked with degenerative disc disease. Diagnosis of the degenerative disc: Imaging techniques like X-rays or MRIs are the best way to detect the degenerative disc disease. An X-ray will show a clear image of the neck area or the back or any other area affected by pain while a MRI will show the soft tissues of the neck and the spine. How to treat a degenerative disc? Conservative treatments are always come first with medical practitioners while treating this disease. Exercise, physiotherapy, heat treatment and rest are some of the methods advocated for alleviating pain of the discs. If all this fails, then surgery can be opted as a last resort. Exercise is still considered to be amongst the best options to tackle this problem. Exercise helps keep the body flexible which is so important for free movements and also helps to keep the weigh in check. Overweight people tend to suffer from this problem since the extra weight puts pressurizes the neck and the spine.
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