2. Herniated disc – A herniated disc develops when a tear forms in the annulus fibrosus, which allows the nucleus pulposus to seep out of the disc and pour into the spinal column.The Symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease<br />Degenerative disc disease may cause a wide variety of symptoms depending on the exact location, severity, and cause of the condition. While most people are quick to associate back and neck pain with this condition, disc degeneration can actually lead to several other symptoms in the event that the deterioration results in the compression of a nerve or the spinal cord itself. The spinal column is a highly innervated area so the presence of extruded disc material or a bulging disc can actually interfere with the regular function of nearby nerves. When this happens, the body may respond with such symptoms as numbness and tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness, diminished reflexes, and more.<br />Additionally, the specific location of the herniated or bulging disc in relation to the spinal column is extremely important. For example, degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine in the neck may cause symptoms to develop in the shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, and throughout the upper body, while the same condition in the lumbar region of the lower back may lead to symptoms in the hips, buttocks, legs, feet, and throughout the lower body.<br />Finally, it is also important to understand that the mere presence of a herniated disc or bulging disc is not always inherently symptomatic. In fact, many people experience these conditions without ever knowing they have a problem. If the degenerated disc does not cause nerve compression, the individual often won’t suffer from the symptoms of the condition. This is an important distinction to make because the effective treatment of degenerative disc disease is focused on alleviating nerve compression and not “healing” the disc, per se. In other words, degenerative disc disease treatment could be more accurately described as nerve decompression treatment.<br />The Causes of Degenerative Disc Disease<br />left3793490The name “degenerative disc disease” is a bit of a misnomer in that it is not a disease at all, but rather the culmination of years of wear and tear on the spinal anatomy. Over time, regular use takes its toll on the intervertebral discs, particularly in the lower back and neck where weight burden is significant and the spine is at its most flexible. As a result, as we age, the anatomical components of the spine will begin to deteriorate which accounts for the loss of mobility and flexibility that most of us associate with getting older. <br />Degenerative disc disease is somewhat unpredictable because there isn’t a clear consensus on the precise cause of the condition beyond growing older. Doctors cannot look at a person and say with absolute authority and confidence that they will suffer from the condition at some point in their lives. Nor can they predict the severity of symptoms that a person will experience even if disc degeneration is detected.<br />That said, there is some consensus that there are a number of lifestyle choices and risk factors that can greatly increase the likelihood of developing degenerative disc disease. As a rule, any activity that puts additional, excessive strain on the spinal column should be avoided or limited. This is why athletes who participate in high-impact sports such as gymnastics or football are more susceptible to back and neck problems. Similarly, golfers tend to experience degenerative disc disease at a higher rate because of the strain that a golf swing puts on the spine.<br />Individuals who suffer from obesity are also susceptible to lower back problems because of the burden that excessive body weight places on the spine. Living a sedentary lifestyle is also a contributing factor because inactivity will cause the muscles that support the back and neck to become atrophied. Other causes of degenerative disc disease can include traumatic injury, poor posture, alcohol abuse or tobacco use, and more.<br />Treatment Options<br />The first step toward treating degenerative disc disease is to have a doctor diagnose the condition, identify the exact location of the disc degeneration and nerve compression, and find the cause of the problem. With this information in hand, the doctor will assist in developing a comprehensive treatment plan that is designed specifically for the patient. This is important because depending on the patient’s age, overall health, severity of symptoms, current medications, and other similar factors, very different treatments may be recommended – what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for all. <br />righttopHowever, in most instances, a regimen of conservative, noninvasive treatment is an effective means for treating degenerative disc disease. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hot/cold therapy, low-impact exercises, stretching techniques, and limited rest are all quite popular options. Many individuals also turn to epidural injections, chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, and other similar techniques in an effort to alleviate symptoms.<br />Occasionally, several weeks or months of conservative treatment can fail to offer sufficient relief, in which case decompression surgery may be considered. Although, this course of treatment is almost always reserved for patients who suffer from debilitating pain and have exhausted all of their other treatment options. Surgery can be attempted several ways with varying degrees of invasiveness depending on the specific patient and their condition. For some, a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure using state-of-the-art endoscopic technology is a viable option; for others, the only real hope for lasting pain relief is from a more intrusive spinal fusion surgery. <br />To learn more about degenerative disc disease, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, individuals should visit a doctor or spine specialist today.<br />