discopathy

Back pain is a common ailment, and the causes can be varied. A wear-related disc change or discopathy is one of the causes and is sometimes also referred to as a herniated disc. In the course of human life, the intervertebral discs suffer from wear and tear, which is particularly evident in the area of the lumbar vertebrae. The disease has numerous stages of development, timely detection and appropriate treatment methods can have a relaxing effect in order to avoid surgical intervention.

Symptoms of discopathy

The intervertebral discs in the spine serve as placeholders for the nerves and as buffers. They are elastic and ensure pain-free movement in everyday life. Their core has a high water content, the fibrous ring around the core consists of a kind of cartilage tissue. Over the course of time and/or due to incorrect loading, premature degeneration of the intervertebral discs can occur, which over time also affects other areas of the spine. The lower spine area is mainly affected, and this is also where a herniated disc often occurs. Discopathy occurs with aging, causes back pain and headaches, and in most cases requires treatment. However, it can occur at any age, for example as a result of physical stress or a birth defect. The most common is degenerative discopathy , a process due to osteoarthritis.

Causes of discopathy

A discopathy develops when the disc cells age, the discs dry out and no longer regenerate adequately. It lacks water, oxygen, and nutrients, usually due to poor or lacking blood circulation. Healthy intervertebral discs contain a lot of water at their core, and this proportion changes throughout the day. During the day the water content decreases, at night the intervertebral discs absorb fluid again. Sufficient blood circulation is required for this. If there is a lack of fluid intake, the intervertebral discs dry out. This is partly due to mechanical factors. The healthy intervertebral disc can withstand great pressure if it is also supported by strong muscles. Tension prevents the deep muscles from playing this stabilizing role. The tension changes the natural movement of the back, which can lead to local changes and discopathy .

The treatment

The most common signs of discopathy are pain in the back and neck, a feeling of weakness or pain in the legs, tingling or decreased sensitivity of the nerve roots. Stiffness in the spine can also be noticed during the course of the day. First and foremost, the pain must be treated with anti-inflammatory and painkillers. At the same time, rehabilitation through physiotherapy is helpful. Both treatments are usually combined to relieve the pain. Sport and a healthy lifestyle contribute to supporting the spine and developing strong back muscles. Excess weight should be reduced to reduce spinal stress on the lower back. If the pain is so severe that medication is no longer effective and the discopathy is causing neurological disorders, surgery may be an option.