Degenerative Disc Disease

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease is an aging associated condition, explaining the breakdown of an intervertebral disc of the spine. These pillow-like discs are responsible for protecting brain, vertebrae and other nerves. This naturally occurring condition may cause numbness, weakness and pain that radiates down the leg. The longer the disc degeneration left untreated, the more the chance of severe chronic pain and other spine problems.

Symptoms

Some commonly noticed signs and symptoms of degenerative disc disease include:

  • Lower back or upper neck pain
  • Leg weakness or pain
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Muscle spams
  • Stiffness or reduced sensation of touch

Causes

The most probable causes of this condition include-

  • Aging
  • Inflammation
  • Abnormal micro-motion instability
  • Injury
  • Tumor

Risks

The related risk factors of degenerative disc condition include:

  • Strenuous physical work
  • Obesity
  • Tobacco smoking
  • An acute or sudden injury

Prevention

Although this is a naturally occurring condition, some preventions might reduce its severity.

  • Healthy lifestyle modifications
  • Regular exercise
  • Good nutrition
  • Quit smoking

How is it diagnosed?

The doctor will ask about your affected section and symptoms to get the proper knowledge of this condition.

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How is it treated?

Medications and certain surgeries can lessen the symptoms of this condition. Although this is a natural occurring condition, preventive measures can help control the symptoms.

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When do I contact the doctor?

When you are dealing with long-term episodes of back pain or neck pain, then you urgently need to visit the doctor to avoid more spine related problems.

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How does Medanta provide care?

Medanta Institute of Neurosciences is an integrated institute with a dedicated team of doctors supported by the latest technology which aims to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary care for disorders of the brain and spine. The institute ha..

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