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Degenerative Arthritis Of The Spine

Kyphosis Affects Your Spine And Can Lead To Severe Back Pain

degenerative-arthritis: Degenerative Arthritis Of The Spine Many medical conditions are associated with your spine and can affect various parts of your body. Any medical condition that is related to your spine has the possibility to do a lot of damage to your organs in your body. One of these medical conditions affecting your spine is called kyphosis and it can lead to severe damage of several internal organs.

Kyphosis is a forward rounding of your upper back and might also be referred to as round back or hunchback. A little rounding of the upper back is normal but when you have kyphosis, your back is rounded more than 50 degrees. You could have a spine that looks normal if you have kyphosis or the spine could have a large hump. People of all ages can get kyphosis, although senior citizens are more susceptible to the condition. If you have kyphosis then you could have either a mild or severe form. The severity of kyphosis you have will determine what complications might develop. Kyphosis will usually come with many symptoms which should not be overlooked.

There are many different symptoms associated with kyphosis and most of them will have something to do with your back or spine. Some symptoms include mild back pain, spinal tenderness or stiffness, fatigue and a slouching posture. You might also get kyphosis and not have any signs or symptoms of the condition, which is why regular checkups are important. Kyphosis can occur in children or adults so it is important to always get a yearly physical examination. If you are not aware you have kyphosis, it can lead to serious long-term health complications. Some of these long-term complications include a physical deformity, damage to internal organs or breathing problems. These long-term complications are rare but they can occur if the kyphosis goes undiagnosed. Knowing the causes of kyphosis can help you be more aware of your risk of developing the condition.

The forward rounding of the vertebrae in your thoracic spine is what causes kyphosis and your ribs connect to the thoracic spine. Kyphosis has many different causes which depend upon the type of kyphosis you have. For adolescents or children, there are three main types of kyphosis including postural kyphosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis and congenital kyphosis. Postural kyphosis will appear most often in adolescents and it generally progresses slowly. It is more common in girls and often is accompanied by an inward curve in the lower spine. Poor posture or routine slouching is a contributing factor to postural kyphosis, so it is important that children sit correctly to prevent the condition.

Scheuermann's kyphosis is found in children between the age of 10 and 15, while the body and bones are growing. It is more common in boys and it can deform the vertebrae so that it looks like a wedge. There are also nodes found on the vertebrae called Schmorl's nodes. These nodes are the result of the disks between the vertebrae pushing through the bone at the end plates. The cause of Scheuermann's kyphosis is not known but it often runs in families. Scoliosis is a common condition that can result from Scheuermann's kyphosis and children might have increased pain as they age.

Congenital kyphosis is when a malformation of the spinal column occurs during development as a fetus. Multiple vertebrae might be fused together or it could be caused by bones forming improperly. Congenital kyphosis can get worse as the child gets older and it might eventually lead to lower body paralysis. This type of kyphosis is called congenital because it occurs during fetal development, which means children are born with the condition.

By Jeanne Rose - Jeanne Rose has a background in the Allied Health department and spent 3 years working in a hospital. Featured Contributor on Associated Content in Health and Wellness 2010-2011 (program terminated). An avid...

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my husband & i are on SSD. I suffer from chronic hepatitis B & C, severe seizure disorder, severe congenital temporal lobe scarring, anorexia, & psychiatric problems. my husband suffers from degenerative arthritis of the spine and buldging discs in the head & neck.(severe pain), & some psychiatric problems. we were told that our total income of $1592.00/mo. was "too much money" & i could not get dentures, that only cost $600.00, as i found the cheapest place over an hour away from my home in millbrook, n.y.. I NEED HELP & NO ONE WILL HELP ME! MR. PRES. BILL CLINTON, PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN. we are poverty level people & i am very ill. PLEASE HELP ME. JANET NOVIKOFF 845-677-3090. i am a devout democrat & vote accordingly. thank you.

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