Do you get up from sitting in a chair all day at the office and feel "ahhh" and grab your back? When you wake up in the morning, is your neck stiff and difficult to turn? Or do you have back pain that lasts for days after lifting a heavy object? You may be familiar with such experiences. Many people think that these are normal things that happen as we age. Although there is some truth to that story, it is not always good to just ignore these pains. Because behind this, there may be a medical condition that we should definitely be aware of. That condition is Degenerative Disk Disease , which we are talking about today.
What is Degenerative Disk Disease?
Even though it says "Disease" in the name, it's not really a disease. Don't worry. Simply put, it's a name given to the discs between our vertebrae that wear down with age and the things we do.
Imagine that our spine is a bunch of little bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other. Between these two bones, there are cushions that act like shock absorbers in a car to prevent them from bumping into each other. That's what we call spinal discs . These discs absorb the pressure on our spine when we bend forward, twist, or jump.
As we age, these discs also age. They gradually begin to wear out and become loose. In fact, like everyone else, these discs wear out with age. But not everyone experiences pain. But if the back or neck pain you are feeling is caused by these worn-out discs, then that's when doctors call this Degenerative Disk Disease.
Where does this situation mainly affect?
This disc degeneration most commonly affects the two most mobile parts of our spine: our lower back and our neck.
- Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease: The five vertebrae at the bottom of our spine are called the ``lumbar''. These are the largest bones in the spine. About 90% of the problems caused by this condition occur in this area.
- Cervical Degenerative Disk Disease: This occurs in the vertebrae in our neck (` Cervical Spine `). This is the part that works when we turn our head from side to side and look up and down. When the discs here wear down, those movements can be painful. However, some people can have this condition without any symptoms.
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
Our spinal discs are made up of a soft, jelly-like interior and a strong outer wall. There are two main reasons why this condition occurs.
1. Dehydration of the discs: When we are born, these discs are 80% water. But as we age, this water content decreases and the discs become thinner. The thinner discs are less able to absorb pressure. Also, the cushion between the vertebrae decreases, which can lead to other back problems.
2. Cracking of the Disc: Our daily activities, such as lifting weights and bending incorrectly, can cause small cracks and tears in the outer wall of these discs. Since there are nerves inside this wall, these cracks can be painful. Sometimes, the jelly-like part inside these cracks protrudes. We also call this a ' herniated disc ' . When this happens, the nerves that run through it can become compressed and cause severe pain.
Just think, things like lifting a heavy bag every day, suddenly picking up a crying child, or bending over incorrectly while working in the garden can damage these discs over time. Perhaps a small fall or accident may not cause much pain at the time, but its effects can become apparent over time.
What things increase the risk of this condition?
- Aging: This is the main cause. By the age of 60, nine out of ten people will have some degree of wear and tear on their discs. It is normal. But it is only when it is accompanied by pain that we should be concerned.
- Obesity : When you gain weight, especially if your belly is protruding forward, the pressure on your spine increases. This is a major cause of disc degeneration.
- Heavy lifting and physical exertion: This risk is higher for those who work in jobs that require frequent lifting.
- Family history: If your parents had this type of back problem, you may have a genetic predisposition to developing this condition as well.
- Smoking: People who smoke are at higher risk of developing this condition. Not only that, but if you already have this condition, smoking can make the pain worse and make it less responsive to treatment .
What symptoms are you experiencing?
The symptoms experienced in this condition can vary from person to person. It depends on where in the spine the disc has slipped and whether it has affected the nerves.
| Type of symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| General pain |
|
| Symptoms caused by nerve compression |
How do you find this, Doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you about your symptoms.
- When did the pain start?
- Does it hurt your back or neck?
- Does the pain spread to other areas?
- Have any old accidents happened? Things like that.
Then, you will be examined. You may be asked to walk or bend to see what movements cause pain. If necessary, an X-ray or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan may be ordered to determine if there is any damage to the bones or nerves in your spine.
What are the treatments for this?
The main goal of treatment is to reduce pain and prevent further damage.
Medication and physical therapy
Often, the first thing people try is painkillers (like ibuprofen) and physical therapy. Physical therapy is a very important treatment for this. It involves specific exercises that strengthen and stretch the muscles around the back and neck. When these muscles are strengthened, the support for the spine increases and the pain decreases.
Other treatments
- Steroid shots: If the pain and swelling are severe, your doctor may give you a steroid injection into the area of pain.
- Radiofrequency Neurotomy: This uses radio waves to temporarily disable the small nerves that carry pain to the brain.
Surgery
Only if all other treatments fail, and the pain is very severe, may your doctor recommend surgery. There are various methods for this, such as `Spinal Fusion` (joining the vertebrae together), `Diskectomy` (removing part of the disc), or `Artificial Disk Replacement` (inserting an artificial disc).
Things you can do to manage pain
Remember, not just medication, but small changes in your lifestyle can go a long way in helping you manage this pain.
- Lose weight: Losing weight greatly reduces the pressure on your back.
- Maintain proper posture: Keep your back straight when sitting and standing.
- Exercise: Low-impact exercises like swimming, yoga, and walking are great for your back. But be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine .
- Hot and cold compresses: Apply a hot water bag to the painful area for about 15 minutes, followed by an ice pack for 15 minutes. Doing this three to four times a day can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Avoid smoking: If you smoke, quitting can be a great way to reduce pain.
Take-Home Message
- Degenerative Disk Disease is a common condition that occurs with aging, but don't ignore the pain it causes.
- This is not just a back/neck pain. It can also cause symptoms like numbness in the limbs and muscle weakness.
- Changes to your lifestyle (weight control, correct posture, appropriate exercise) are very important for treatment.
- Many people can achieve long-term relief with non-surgical treatments (physical therapy, medications).
- If you have symptoms like these, don't make decisions on your own, but definitely see a qualified doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
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