Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a common condition in the lower back that occurs as people age. It can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the back, legs, or buttocks. Treatment options include physical therapy, surgery, and pain relievers. Obesity, smoking, and heavy manual work can increase the risk of developing the condition.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease is a process that occurs to the discs in the spine, usually as people get older. The discs along the spine are soft and compress easily to protect the vertebrae and absorb shock. Although degenerative disc disease can occur anywhere along the spine, it is most common in the lower back. The lumbar region is the lower back. Carry the weight of the body weight.
As the body ages, the discs gradually degenerate or rupture. When this process occurs in the lower back, it can cause lumbar degenerative disc disease. Also, as people get older, there is less fluid in the spinal discs; this reduces shock absorption. Also, as the disc degenerates, even small cracks can form in the disc which can cause the disc to rupture.
In addition to old age, there are many other causes of lumbar degenerative disc disease. For example, obese people are particularly susceptible, as their added weight puts excessive pressure on the discs. Other factors that may increase the potential for developing lumbar degenerative disc disease include smoking and heavy manual work, especially if it involves heavy or excessive lifting. In some cases, if a person has a bad fall or other sudden or traumatic injury, they may also suffer from lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Interestingly, not everyone will experience pain if they develop lumbar degenerative disc disease. In some cases, a person may have little or no pain. Others may experience debilitating pain. It can affect their life and limit their daily activities. In most cases, if the degenerative disc disease is in the lower back, the person will experience pain, numbness, or tingling in the back, legs, or even the buttocks.
A doctor will diagnose whether the symptoms a person experiences is indeed lumbar degenerative disc disease. Initially, your doctor may ask many questions to determine if there has been any trauma or injury to your back. He can also inquire about previous activities, hobbies, habits and treatments. After checking your range of motion, he may order an X-ray to see if there really is disc degeneration or if there is another problem, such as a fracture, tumor or just a muscle spasm.
To treat lumbar degenerative disc disease, physical therapy, Pilates, yoga, and simple stretching can work wonders. Surgery is sometimes recommended, especially if the disc is badly damaged. Through surgery, the damaged disc is removed and the vertebrae are fused together or an artificial disc is placed in its place. To reduce the pain associated with a degenerated disc, placing ice on the area and taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also work well.
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