Is your back pain just a result of aging? Let's talk about Degenerative Disk Disease!

Do you also feel stiff and stiff when you get out of bed in the morning? Do you feel pain along your back when you get up after sitting for a while? Or is it difficult to turn your neck or walk? Many of us think that this kind of pain is a normal thing that happens as we get older. In fact, it is true that our bodies change with age. But today we are going to talk about a possible medical reason behind this pain. That is the wear and tear of the intervertebral discs, or `Degenerative Disk Disease` .

What exactly is Degenerative Disk Disease?

Although the name says “disease,” it’s not actually a disease. Simply put, it’s a condition that occurs when the discs between the vertebrae in your spine wear down as you age. Think of your spine as a bunch of little bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other. To keep these bones from rubbing against each other, there’s a rubbery cushion in between. We call these discs spinal discs .

These discs are like the `shock absorbers` in a car. They absorb the pressure on our backs when we run, jump, bend, or lift weights, and protect our spine. As we age, it is natural for these discs to wear down and dry out. This happens to everyone to some extent.

The problem starts when this cushion wears out. Then the bones of the spine start to rub against each other. This is what causes the pain. Not only that, but this condition can lead to other complications .

Which part of the spine is most affected by this condition?

This condition mainly affects two parts of the spine: our lower back and our neck.

• Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease: The five vertebrae in our lower back (L1 to L5) bear the most weight in the body. Therefore, the risk of the discs in this area is higher. In fact, 90% of this condition is reported in this lower back. This may be the reason why you are experiencing back pain and pain that radiates down your legs.
• Cervical Degenerative Disk Disease: This condition occurs when the discs between the seven vertebrae in our neck wear down. Pain when turning the neck up, down, and to the sides, as well as numbness down the arms, occur when the discs in this area wear down.
• Multilevel Degenerative Disk Disease: Sometimes, more than one disk, meaning the discs in the neck and lower back, can degenerate at the same time. We then call it a `Multilevel` condition.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

The main and most common symptoms are back pain and neck pain . This pain can be experienced differently by each person.

• The pain can come and go . It can last for weeks or months, then go away.
• Pain can radiate from the lower back to the buttocks and legs .
• The pain increases when sitting, bending forward, or lifting a heavy object .
• For some people, the pain decreases when walking or standing.

How does this pain feel?

Why are these discs worn? What are the reasons?

As we've talked about before, the main cause is aging . But let's take a closer look at what happens to these discs as they age.

1. Dry out of the discs: The middle part of our spinal discs is like jelly. It is mostly water. As we age, the amount of water in this jelly naturally decreases. Just like a sponge shrinks when it dries out, these discs also become thinner and shrink. Then their ability to act as a `shock absorber` decreases.

2. Tears or cracks in the discs: Minor accidents, bad posture, and heavy lifting in everyday life can cause small tears in the outer covering of these discs. These tears are often located near nerves. Therefore, even a small tear can cause pain. Sometimes, if this tear becomes large and the outer wall of the disc bursts, the jelly inside can leak out and press on a nerve. We call this a `Herniated disc`.

Factors that increase the risk of this condition occurring

Although aging is the main cause, certain factors can accelerate the wear and tear of these discs and increase the risk of pain.

• Accidents: Accidents such as falls can damage discs.
• Obesity: As body weight increases, the pressure on the spine increases, which can cause the discs to wear out more quickly.
• Gender: Women are more likely to experience these symptoms than men.
• Smoking: Smoking reduces the blood supply to the discs, causing them to dry out and wear out faster.
• Physically demanding jobs: People who work in jobs that involve frequent lifting of heavy objects or straining their backs are at higher risk.

How does a doctor diagnose this condition?

When you go to see a doctor for back pain, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms. For example:

• When did the pain start?
• Where do you feel the pain?
• What kinds of things make the pain worse?
• What helps reduce pain?
• Was there any accident before the pain started?
• Are there other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the legs, along with the pain?
• How far can you walk in one go?

Then, the doctor will examine you. During this time, your nerve function (like tapping your knee with a reflex hammer), pain points (by pressing on certain areas of your back), and muscle strength may be tested.

What are the treatments for this?

Many people think that if they have back pain, they will definitely have to have surgery. But that is not the truth. Many people can find relief with non-surgical treatments. A doctor will first try to refer them to such treatments.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Physical Therapy: This is a very important treatment. Exercises that strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, as well as stretching exercises under the guidance of a trained physical therapist, can greatly reduce pain.
• Medications: The doctor may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs, paracetamol, nerve pain medications, or steroids.
• Steroid injections: If the pain is severe, a steroid injection into the spinal nerves, discs, or joints can reduce swelling and pain.
• Radiofrequency Neurotomy: This involves using electrical waves to deactivate the nerves that carry pain to the brain. This also provides pain relief.

Things you can do at home

• Exercise: You can strengthen your back muscles by doing low-impact exercises, such as swimming and walking.
• Hot and cold therapy: Applying a hot water bottle or an ice pack for 10-15 minutes can help reduce pain and swelling. You can also alternate the two.
• Stretching: Doing gentle stretching exercises like yoga throughout the day can help correct posture and reduce stiffness.

Surgery

A doctor may recommend surgery only if non-surgical treatments do not provide any relief, if the pain persists, and if there are symptoms such as numbness in the legs.

There are several main types of surgery. These include `Diskectomy` (removing part of the disc), `Laminectomy` (removing part of the vertebra to allow access to the nerves), and `Spinal fusion` (connecting two or more vertebrae together to stabilize them). Your doctor will decide which surgery is best for you.

Can this situation be prevented from getting worse?

Yes, you definitely can. Making small changes to your lifestyle can slow down the wear and tear of these discs and help control the pain.

• Maintain a healthy weight that suits your body.
• If you smoke, quit today.
• Exercise regularly, especially exercises that strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.
• Maintain proper posture. Keep your back straight when sitting, standing, and lifting weights.
• Be careful when lifting weights. Lift weights with your knees bent and your back straight.
• Don't stay in the same position for too long. If you work in an office, get up and walk around at least every half hour.

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