Living with Degenerative Disc Disease
If your doctor has diagnosed you with degenerative disc disease (DDD), you may be concerned about your prospects of living a normal life and staying active. Thankfully, DDD is not an actual disease - and contrary to its name, it does not necessarily mean that your spine will continue to degenerate as you get older. Instead, DDD is an accelerated degenerative condition of the intervertebral discs in the spine. While most people will experience some form of gradual age-related disc deterioration by their 40s or 50s, DDD tends to affect others in their 20s or 30s as a result of genetics, lifestyle, or general health.
Of course, if you have DDD, you may have to make some adjustments to your usual routines, and you may experience pain, but in general, you can live with the condition by taking steps to effectively manage your symptoms. In many cases, the body makes its own anatomical adjustments to adapt to the degeneration, and pain subsides over time.
Managing Symptoms
Degenerative disc disease can cause a number of symptoms to develop in an individual with the condition. Symptoms can arise if a deteriorating disc bulges or ruptures and irritates the tiny nerve fibers that innervate the disc wall, or comes in contact with the spinal cord or nerve roots. Nerve compression typically leads to focal pain and radiating symptoms of pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness in the upper or lower body. These symptoms often respond well to conservative, or nonsurgical, treatments, which your doctor will likely recommend. Conservative treatments that may help you manage your DDD symptoms could include:
- Cold therapy - to reduce inflammation and numb pain
- Heat therapy - to relieve muscle tension and promote nutrient-rich blood circulation
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation
- Physical therapy - to strengthen weak core muscles, promote proper body mechanics, and learn stretching techniques that can help relieve pressure within the spinal column
In addition to these treatments, you can also combat your symptoms by losing weight if you are overweight, eating a well-balanced diet, and avoiding excessive tobacco or alcohol use.
Will You Need Surgery?
For most patients with degenerative disc disease, a conservative treatment regimen can alleviate pain. As a result, surgery is rarely needed to treat DDD. If your doctor has suggested that you consider a surgical procedure, be sure to get a few other medical opinions. Any surgery has its risks, so be sure to explore all of your options before you sign a consent form.
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