| It is a known fact that the bones and joints in your | | | | the more difficult it will be for you to recover from |
| body will start to get weak at some point in your life. | | | | slip disc. Septuagenarians who fall and end up injuring |
| When you reach the age of 60, or even 50 for | | | | their spine will find it very hard to get over their |
| some, you will start to feel pain in several parts of | | | | vertebral problems. |
| your body - including your lower back - that can be | | | | Athletes |
| excruciating and unbearable. It is important to note, | | | | Both professional and amateur athletes are equally |
| however, that elderly people are also at risk of | | | | prone to getting slip disc because of exerting too |
| developing the condition known as disc degeneration. | | | | much effort in practicing or perfecting their |
| What Is Disc Degeneration? | | | | performances. Moreover, athletes usually push their |
| Disc degeneration occurs when the discs, which | | | | bodies to the limit, so the normal wear and tear |
| support the spine, is damaged or broken due to old | | | | process of bones and joints are much faster for |
| age, injury or certain diseases. This condition is | | | | them than the average Joes. |
| characterized by your leg being a little numb and your | | | | Obese And Overweight Individuals |
| lower back area feeling constant pain. This condition | | | | One of the reasons why it is important to maintain |
| is actually fairly common. | | | | your ideal body weight is because your bones and |
| However, not all people who have disc degeneration | | | | muscles end up overworking themselves when your |
| are aware of their situation because a damaged or | | | | body is carrying too much load. The same is true |
| broken disc per se does not cause pain or other | | | | with your discs. The heavier you get, the more prone |
| obvious symptoms. You will only feel pain when your | | | | you will be at getting spine injuries because your |
| problematic discs are ruptured or abnormally pushed | | | | body is finding it hard to carry your weight. |
| out. This condition is what we call herniated disc, | | | | Treatment Options |
| which is commonly known as slip disc. | | | | Surgery |
| Causes of Disc Degeneration | | | | Individuals whose discs are heavily fragmented or |
| Majority of cases of disc degeneration are due to | | | | disintegrated are advised to undergo surgery. In such |
| the normal wear and tear of the bones and joints. | | | | cases, metal plates will be inserted and used to |
| These discs act as support and shock absorber of | | | | replace problematic discs. However, if your disc |
| the vertebral column. Eventually, through much use, | | | | problem is not really serious, you may want to |
| some discs on your spine will start to get weak and | | | | consider other options. |
| damaged. | | | | Nor-surgical Treatments |
| Another common cause of disc problems is injury. | | | | In most cases, people who have herniated discs |
| Putting sudden pressure on your lower back from | | | | recover in about one to six months through physical |
| lifting heavy objects, accidents, prolonged or | | | | therapy and proper exercise. If you have herniated |
| frequent exposure to vibration or simply picking up | | | | disc, the first thing that you have to do is rest. After |
| something on the floor can cause slip disc. | | | | a few days, you should start moving and getting out |
| Who Are At Risk Of Experiencing Disc Degeneration? | | | | of the bed to strengthen the muscles that hold and |
| As mentioned earlier, everybody can be a candidate | | | | support your spine. However, you should still take it |
| for such a condition. However, there are some | | | | easy on your movements and avoid strenuous |
| individuals who are more prone or susceptible to | | | | activities until you your physician says otherwise. |
| breaking or injuring such discs. | | | | Since pain is a common complaint from people whose |
| Old People | | | | discs have been ruptured, painkillers are often |
| The bones, joints and the fluids in-between the | | | | prescribed. However, you should not get too |
| vertebrae of old people are getting weaker and | | | | dependent on taking pain medications because |
| smaller by the day. Naturally, they are the prime | | | | prolonged use of these pills can cause severe side |
| candidates for slip discs. However, the older you get, | | | | effects. |