Degenerative Disc Disease

Symptoms:

Sometimes Degenerative Disc Disease may show no symptoms, whereas in other cases you may experience severe pain that prevents you from going about your day-to-day. While this condition may start in the spine, the longer you go without treatment, the more it will spread throughout your body. Someone who is suffering from degenerative disc disease may experience:

• Pain that radiates to your lower back, buttocks, and upper thighs.
• A constant nagging pain that either comes and goes that either lasts a couple of days or a few months.
• Feeling pain while sitting down, bend over, lift anything, or twist.

While these are general symptoms that most will encounter, it’s important to keep in mind that discomfort can vary depending on the person. Some may only feel these symptoms mildly, while others may even feel debilitated. If you recognize any of the previously mentioned symptoms, get in touch with a pain management doctor in Nassau County sooner than later.

Causes:

The older we get, the more susceptible to spinal injury/damage we become. The increased stress put onto our bodies can make minor or unnoticed injuries a more serious issue. Your discs may change over time which will eventually cause degenerative disc disease. The main cause for change includes:

• Disc desiccation – When you are born your discs are primarily made up of water, but as time goes on you’ll lose that water and the discs will thin out. The flatter the disc becomes the less likely it will absorb water and the less cushion/support for your vertebrae.
• Disc tear– As time goes on, the stress of everyday use can cause the discs to wear down, which can cause tiny tears in the outer walls. The outer wall contains nerves, and any damage to this can cause extreme pain.

If you are suffering from degenerative disc disease, know you are not alone. At Integrated Spine & Pain Care, Dr. Mikael Sarij understands that pain comes in all different forms. Our team prioritizes getting each and every one of our patients back into the world in a healthy manner. With state of the art technology and minimally invasive treatment methods, we can help bring you the pain relief you’ve been looking for. So rather than suffering through the pain of degenerative disc disease, contact us today to set up your first appointment with a pain management doctor in Nassau County!