Degenerative disc disease is a condition that, in certain individuals, occurs naturally during the aging process. One main factor contributing to degenerative disc disease is when intervertebral discs have a reduced ability to retain water and absorb nutrients from the vertebral endplates above and below them. As the discs become more and more dehydrated, they also become frail, and this may cause a number of problems along the spinal column. These problems include symptoms of pain and discomfort when degenerative disc disease leads to herniated discs, spinal nerve compression, spinal instability, and other issues.

The degeneration of discs begins to occur in most people some time in their thirties. Many people do not experience any pain or discomfort at all because the degeneration occurs slowly, and the spinal column is able to adjust to the gradual changes. Other people may experience pain for a while, but will notice that the pain goes away completely on its own over time. A small percentage of the time, pain will carry on with no end in sight, and this is often when degenerative disc disease is diagnosed.

The most common symptom experienced from degenerative disc disease is low back pain. The pain is typically constant and relatively mild, with bursts of sudden severe pain in the lower back. Pain, numbness, and tingling in the buttocks and in the legs above the knee are also common symptoms. Neck pain is another key symptom that results out of degenerative disc disease.

Pain from degenerative disc disease is often worsened by sitting because, when an individual is in a seated position, more weight must be supported by the spinal column instead of the legs. Bending, lifting, twisting, and similar movements also can worsen degenerative disc disease and bring on severe pain. Frequently changing positions and lying down may help to relieve pain from the low back.

What to Do If the Symptoms Persist

If the pain, discomfort, numbness, weakness, or tingling in your neck, back, arms, or legs is constant and persistent, the first thing you should do is consult with your doctor. Tell your doctor about the symptoms you have been experiencing and ask if it would help to schedule an MRI or CT scan so that the doctor can get an inside look at your spine. After your doctor examines you and arrives at a diagnosis, he or she should recommend a few remedies or treatment methods that can help relieve your symptoms.

There are many ways to treat the symptoms of degenerative disc disease. The first treatment methods to try are nonsurgical. These nonsurgical methods include pain and anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, spine injections, and a few other methods. Your doctor should assist you in choosing the method or methods that could work best for you.

What if Nonsurgical Methods Don\’t Work?

If you have tried various nonsurgical methods with little to no success, you may want to consider surgery as an option. Surgery is a feasible option for only about five to ten percent of people with degenerative disc disease symptoms, but if nonsurgical methods fail to relieve your symptoms after several months, surgery might be right for you. Spine surgeries vary on a number of ways. They can be minimally invasive, removing only tiny pieces of bone or disc, but they can also be highly invasive, requiring a large incision, the removal of an entire disc and vertebral body, and spinal fusion. Your doctor will help you determine which kind of surgery is right for you, should a spine surgery be elected as the best course of treatment.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of degenerative disc disease and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Degenerative disc disease