Degenerative Disc Disease: Everything You Need to Know

In most cases, there are numerous things you can implement to ensure your back remains healthy and strong. However, due to various factors, your spinal discs will wear and tear down, leading to degenerative disc disease (DDD). Several health practitioners have proclaimed that degenerative disc Shrewsbury has become a common condition reported by most individuals within the area. Therefore, we will explore everything you need to know about degenerative disc disease.

 

What is Degenerative Disc Disease?

The term may be confusing because degenerative disc disease is not a disease but rather a condition in which a damaged disc results in pain. The pain might vary from nagging to disabling. Even though the pain may take decades before you feel it, the degenerative procedure may begin in your early 20s.

 

Who Is Vulnerable To Getting DDD?

Degenerative disk disease is popular in older adults. The following are some risk factors that upsurge your vulnerability to DDD.

• Acute injuries
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Biological sex

 

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of DDD?

Usually, the popular signs and symptoms are neck and back pain. Usually, you are likely to experience pain that:

• Become worse with sitting
• Appear and disappear, lasting for weeks at a given time
• Causes numbness in your legs or arms

 

What Are The Causes of DDD?

Generally, you are at risk of getting degenerative disc disease in your spinal disks:

Dry out: the disc comprises a soft core that contains water only. As you age, the core loses some water making the disc thinner where it does not provide shock absorption.

Crack or Tear: in most cases, minor injuries contribute to small cracks in your spinal disks. Tears are usually painful regardless of whether they are minor or not.

 

How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Diagnosed and Tested?

To diagnose DDD, your practitioner will begin by requesting your signs and symptoms. Afterward, they can apply imaging scans like X-ray or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Also, they may execute a physical exam to monitor your nerve functioning, levels of pain, and strength.

 

How Is Degenerative Disc Disease Managed and Treated?

• Medications: if you suffer from DDD, you can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids to treat the problem.
• Physical therapy: engaging in strengthening and stretching activities assisted by a trained practitioner is an essential strategy for managing the condition.
• Steroid injections: you can apply these injections around your spinal nerves to minimize the pain and inflammation.

 

How Can You Prevent Degenerative Disc Disease?

The condition may be inevitable, but there are some methods you can apply to prevent the problem. They include:

• Preserving a healthy body weight
• Engaging in physical exercises and activities
• Quitting Smoking

 

If you have tried DDD’s home remedies and other procedures without success, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider for medical attention. What if your provider is fully booked? What will be your next step? You should visit the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine in Shrewsbury, NJ, Toms River, NJ & Edison, NJ. Book online or call their offices to begin your treatment program.