Degenerative Disc Disease.
Resources for the topic are as follows: Spine health.com And WebMD.com.
author's note I am in no way a professional of any kind. I do not believe in self-diagnosing. if you or someone you know believes that he/ she may have this condition please consult with a trusted medical professional in this area.
What is degenerative disc disease? It is a condition that can cause pain in the spine or neck. The spine consists of 26 bones (vertebrae.)Spinal discs which act as shock absorbers between the bones in the back can wear down over time. Which can result in significant pain for someone. These spinal discs help a person in the area of flexibility. In other words, these discs help in the areas of bending And twisting. As a person gets older, they can break down.
The following is a diagram of the different types of disc problems. (Photo found on Google.) Spinal discs can wear down and tare as we age. While not everyone who experiences a breakdown of their discs experiences pain. If you are experiencing pain with your spinal discs, then you are in fact experiencing degenerative disc disease. Spinal discs are made up of two specific areas. A softer inner core (think of a pillow.) And a tough outer wall. These discs may change over time. These changes may cause someone to have degenerative disc disease. The following are some causes behind DDD.
Dry out: Our spinal discs are made of water as we age, we lose water, and the discs get thinner. When discs become flatter, they don’t absorb shocks well. The result of water loss can also mean less cushion and our padding between the vertebrae. This could cause someone to experience other problems with their spine which could cause pain.
Crack: Everyday movements and overall stress on the body, as well as minor injuries that occur over time, can cause tiny tears to happen in the in the outer wall, also contain nerves. If there any tares near the nerves they can be very painful. If the wall breaks down, The disc soft care may push through the cracks in the spine. This may cause the disc to bulge, or slip out of place. This is what is called, a slipped or herniated disc. Which can affect any nerves nearby. It can also be called a ruptured disc.
Some symptoms a person with DDD could possibly experience are sharp and consistent pain in the back or neck. But, for more exact symptoms, that can all depend on where the weak disc is as well as any other changes that it caused. But here are some common signs that include plain that happens in the following areas.
This photo was found on Google. It shows the various types of Discs
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| This visual is from the following site http://www.virginiaspinespecialists.com/degenerative-disc-disease |
: Pain that happens in your lower back, buttocks, or upper thighs.
: Pain that comes and goes, can be nagging or severe, how long it can last for someone varies.
: The pain worsens when you sit, but feels better when you sand and or move.
: Can worsen when you bend, twist, or lift.
: Can feel better when changing positions or lie down.
: There are some cases where DDD can lead to numbness/tingling in the arms and legs. It can also cause the leg muscles to become weak. If this is happening, it means the damaged disc(s) may be affecting the nerves near the spine.
How DDD is treated can vary. It depends on what gives the best results as far as managing the pain. But it is suggested that things like steroid shots and PT are just a few examples of would be used to treat and manage the pain caused by DDD. While surgery is an option, it is not a choice for everyone so I highly recommend that you consult with a professional in this area, for the best choice of treatment option of treatment for someone with this condition. For additional information, you can visit the following site: DDD Information.
My final thoughts: DDD is a very complex condition that affects many. And it is life changing. It is my hope that science and the medical field finds a significant medical breakthrough that will erase this condition altogether.
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