| Degenerative disc disease is characterized by severe | | | | An extreme case can be that the organs connected |
| lower back pain. The symptoms of degenerative | | | | to these nerves become diseased, with the |
| spine are easy for a person to recognize, the most | | | | seriousness depending on the way degeneration is |
| common being stiffness and tingling in the spine. It is | | | | caused in the discs. |
| also one of the most misunderstood diseases. | | | | Patients showing symptoms of degenerative spine |
| Degenerative disc is not actually a disease, but a | | | | complain of chronic pain in the lower back along with |
| term used to explain the normal changes that occur | | | | intermittent attacks of low back pain. These small |
| in your spinal discs as you grow with age. | | | | episodes of pain from disc degeneration can last |
| Healthy spinal discs are extremely elastic and can be | | | | from a few days to a few months. The amount of |
| compressed. They separate the interlocked bones | | | | chronic pain varies and can range from being a simple |
| that make up the spine. Discs are responsible for | | | | irritation to serious pain, disabling the affected person. |
| absorbing shock that is caused to the spine, making it | | | | In some cases the pain can become intense and then |
| flexible, and able to bend and twist. As the discs get | | | | return to a low level or disappear entirely. Activities |
| older, they become less elastic and problems occur. | | | | like bending, lifting and twisting can worsen the pain |
| Degenerative discs can occur anywhere along the | | | | while activities like walking and running can give some |
| spine, but the highest probability is for them to occur | | | | relief rather than sitting for a long time. It is |
| in the lower back--also called the lumbar region--and | | | | recommended to change positions frequently. Lying |
| the neck--also called the cervical region. | | | | down is the best option. The symptoms and |
| The symptoms of degenerative disc disease are | | | | treatment for degenerative spine disease are |
| numerous. The most common symptoms are | | | | covered further in more articles at [ |
| stiffness, pain and restricted activity, and depending | | | | However, in an active person aged between 30 and |
| on the nerve root affected, the pain can occur in the | | | | 40, the pain should not be severe and persistent. If it |
| neck, legs and knees. In most cases, the symptoms | | | | is, then medical advice should be sought. If |
| are of mild pain, but sometimes there is deep pain | | | | degenerative disc disease is the cause of the pain, |
| that often increases when the joint is moved, and | | | | then ignoring the pain will only lead to the pain getting |
| lessens when the joint has fully warmed up. | | | | worse as time goes on. With the range of excellent |
| Intense pain is caused by compression of the nerves, | | | | treatments for back pain now including exercise, |
| which occurs when the spinal disc gets thinner. As a | | | | medicine and a range of surgical procedures there is |
| result, the space between the bones narrows. | | | | no need to allow the pain to continue. A consultation |
| Sometimes, in severe cases, bone and nerve | | | | with your doctor will enable you to consider the best |
| compression is caused that, apart from causing pain, | | | | treatment options for the type of back pain you are |
| also gives a burning sensation, numbness, and tingling. | | | | suffering from. |