What is desiccation of the disc and how it hinders routine work for a person?

What is desiccation of the disc and how it hinders routine work for a person?

The major structure of a human is vertebrae which is actually a stack of bones one after another. In between each bone, there is a tough, spongy disc that acts as a shock absorber. Disc desiccation refers to the dehydration of the vertebral discs. The fluid present in the vertebrae disc keeps them flexible and strong. With the aging process, the discs begin to dehydrate or lose their fluid. Over time, these discs weaken as part of a process called degenerative disc disease. However, there are options available which can treat a patient without needing a surgery.

The desiccation of the disc is degenerative. It is actually a common change which can occur and degenerates the vertebral discs. With aging, it is normal if to a certain degree desiccation occurs. The loss in the discs occurs due to annular bulging and vertebral endplate bowing. It is possible that a patient has only a mild level of disc desiccation. It can also happen in any of the discs in the spine. Discs act as the spinal shock absorbers and provide a cushioning between the vertebrae however the natural aging process can leads discs to become drier and naturally flatten with time. This narrows the disc space and allows the vertebrae to touch each other causing pain. This disorder is called the desiccation of the disc or degenerative disc disease.

The narrow space between the vertebrae gives less room to the nerves and irritate them. As a result, it can cause numbness, weakness, tingling or pain. In severe cases it can also cause impairment in functions since the nerves become further restrained. Even though this is a natural occurrence but patients should seek medical attention for their treatment. Usually an MRI is done to confirm if there is a presence of a degenerative disc disease or not. Later on surgery is planned. Degenerative disc disease can occur in neck or in other areas down the spine. The disc can experience pain if the collapse of disc space is greater than half of the cushioning area or if there is loss of the cartilaginous endplate.

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When patients have pain with the degenerative disc disease, this is sometimes a result of an inflammation or abnormal micro motion instability. The proteins in the disc space cause inflammation which is painful. Lower back pain can also radiate out to the hips or down the leg. The pain can also extend all the ways to the toes. If the pain is in the neck, it can radiate to the shoulder, or hand. There are many treatments options available for the patients in both traditional and alternative ways. This include massage therapy, physiotherapy, medication, weight loss, chiropractic care, and surgery. Medications can provide temporary relief from the pain and also have side effects associated with them. Some side effects are so severe that they can negate any positive effect that the treatment might have on the patient. Surgery also has its own disadvantages if a patient opts for it. To avoid all of this, it is important that a person should take breaks and not push their self beyond a point where they can damage their physical health.

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