Understanding Degenerative Disc Diseases

Degenerative Disc Disease is also known as spondylosis. When the spinal discs, present between the vertebrae, gradually deteriorates, the disorder is known as degenerative disc disease. What is the reason behind this deterioration? When we grow older, our body's cartilage gets thinner and fragile. This leads to wear and tear of the discs and facet joints.

Also, as we grow old, there is a loss in water content in the invertebral discs. As a result, the space between the disc tends to narrow down. You might not see any clinical symptoms when you are between 20-30 years old. The degenerative disc disease tends to increase as you tend to grow older.

Degenerative disc disease could affect the cervical, lumbar, or thoracic regions of the spine. Cervical degenerative disc disease can harm any portion of the neck. When degenerative disc disease affects the upper spine, it is referred to as cervical disc disease. When the pain is in mid-back, it is known as thoracic disc disease. And finally, when the lumbar or lower spine is affected, it is known as lumbago disc disease.

Degenerative disc disease is caused due to:

1. Smoking: Smoking is considered to be one of the major reasons for degenerative disc disease. According to a research conducted it was found that smokers have higher chances of developing degenerative disc disease.

2. Nicotine: Carbon monoxide enters the blood stream and then into the blood tissues. This reduces the ability to absorb nutrients from the blood. The result is formation of degenerated discs. The disc gets malnourished and causes ruptured disc.

3. Cough: This is also quite common in smokers. This increases the pressure on spine's discs.

4. Inactivity: It results in severe back pain associated with degenerated disc disease, which affects your active lifestyle.

How to diagnose it:Degenerative disc disease can be detected through X-ray or MRI. X-ray gives the picture of the neck, or any area of pain, while the MRI helps examine the soft tissue in the neck and spine.

Treatment: Degenerative disc disease can be treated by taking rest, heat, medications, rehabilitative exercises. In this condition, conservative treatment is the first priority of medical professionals. If it doesn't help in any way, then the patient is advised to undergo a surgery.

One of the conservative methods of treating advanced degenerative disc disease includes regular exercise. Exercise is the best way get relief from pain and help you in free movement. You should keep a watch on your weight. See to it that you do not gain too much weight, since excess weight increases pressure on the neck and back.

Degenerative Spine