Degenerative Disc Disease

As we get older the discs in our spinal area break down or degenerate. This happens to all people but in some degenerative disc disease can occur. This happens when there is a significant amount of loss of fluid in your discs. This decreases the ability for the discs to act like shock absorbers and can result in your back being less flexible than it once was. The loss of the fluid can make the discs smaller and narrower.

There may be small cracks in the outer layer of the disc. The soft material inside the disc can force out through the tears or cracks in the capsule which can make the disc bulge almost like a herniated disc. The disc can break or rupture.

These changes to the discs in your back are more likely than not to happen to people who smoke cigarettes and the people who do a lot of physical activity.
Obese people have a much higher chance than fit people of developing degenerative disc disease.

The space between the vertebras gets smaller and smaller, there is less padding thereby causing damage to the back and to the spinal cord. X-Rays and MRI's are the best way to get diagnosed. To treat the pain that you will be feeling, you can use anti inflammatory drugs such as Bayer Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen which is Aleve. Do not give aspirin to a person under 20, they still run the risk of Reyes Syndrome. Tylenol can be give to help with the pain.

Any further treatment must be determined by a doctor, they have to diagnose and form a treatment that will be an asset to you. Most commonly, Physical Therapy and exercise can help alleviate the pain. Surgery is a last resort in many back pain treatments. In any type of back pain applications surgery is the last resort in any case. Especially in older people surgery is not recommended.

Degenerative Disc Disease or DDD is common but, they key is to take care of your self, stay active and don't over do it and most of all it is up to the aging process if this disease will affect you. Don't put too much worry into whether or not you will get DDD. Live your life, stay active and stay healthy. Please visit my website PainsWeb.com for more information on this condition.