Approximately 90% of Americans are treated by a physician for some sort of back pain related to the onset of degenerative disc disease. The vertebrae are held fast with ligaments, tendons and muscles, and between them are the discs that are designed to be shock absorbers to prevent the bones of the spine from hitting one another when we move.
If you suffer from degenerative disc disease (DDD) you probably know the pain of a herniated or a ruptured disc. A herniated disc is sometimes called a sipped disc, and it can slip forward-which is called spondylolisthesis-and it can slip backwards-which is called retrolisthesis. This disorder of the spine is very painful and does greatly impair a sufferer’s quality of life.
Degenerative disc disease is a diagnosis that includes various changes of the spine. As we generate more wear and tear on our spines, tiny tears can develop in ligaments and in the discs themselves. As changes occur in the spine, structures can shift and change position, causing narrowing in the spaces. This narrowing can cause the discs to move out of place and bulge into a spinal nerve root. In time, the discs can rupture from the stress and the fluid will be lost, causing the disc to dry out-this is called desiccation. With desiccation, the disc collapses and ligaments misalign. Narrowing of the spinal cord can develop, causing functional problems of the spine.
As a sufferer of degenerative disc disease, there are times when I cannot stand straight and walk without the aid of a cane to support myself. The pain can be unbearable. My pain was such that I underwent a series of 4 injections into the spinal space where the inflamed nerves live-called nerve blocks. Since the nerve blocks, my pain has been much more manageable.
This disorder of the spine can develop in any area from the neck to the low back. DDD can originate from trauma, or from repetitive stress injuries, such as in jobs that require lots of back bending every day; however, this condition does result from arthritic changes in the spine, which is a normal part of aging. With a bulging or ruptured disc you may feel pain in the groin, leg, knee, or behind the knee at the bend of the leg depending on which nerve root is being compressed.
Some patients choose surgery to increase their quality of life. This procedure can be rather risky, but if it works well it will stop the pain and the patient will regain mobility to lead a normal life. One such surgery is a spinal fusion. The doctor joins two or more vertebrae with: either some of the patient’s own bone taken from his hip, or it can be accomplished by using metal or plastic hardware. This procedure is very painful and the patient may take up to a year to be able to enjoy a better quality of life.
The treatment, whether surgical or not depends on the condition of the patient. It is common for many problems to be present within the spine, causing a multitude of problems for the patient.
Diet is important especially in a patient with chronic back pain related to DDD. The more we weigh, the more stress is put onto the spine and the discs within. To help manage weight it would help to do these things:
• Drink 8 cups of water a day, which is 2 quarts
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Eat slower; choose foods that require lots of chewing, such as carrots, celery, apples, and whole grains such as bagels are really good. The longer it takes to chew the better, because it takes 20 minutes for your brain to signal that you are full.
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Try to focus on other things than eating or snacking. If you want a snack, incorporate that snack into your meal. If you like cheese and crackers, use a lower fat variety of cheese, and a lower salt cracker. Add a low fat yogurt to that and you have a meal.
There are ways you can help yourself with the discomfort of back pain and the degenerative process. The body has an amazing ability to restore itself, if we only give it the opportunity to do so. We may not get rid of the disorder, but we can do much to feel better.
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