Dehydrated Discs – or Degenerative Disc Disease – is something that many people suffer from throughout the United Kingdom.
A spinal disc acts as a spacing mechanism between the vertebrae of the spine and the nerves and also allows for the spinal column to move and function such a way that we can move and twist our bodies without causing damage to these nerves and thin vertebrae.
Signs and Symptoms
Early indications that there is a problem with these discs are stiffness and a more restrictive movement of the spinal column. This can manifest itself as an inability to bend or to straight up properly after being in the seated position.
These discs are filled with a gel-like substance, some of which is lost during the course of an individual’s average day and is replaced to some extent whilst they are asleep.
As these discs dehydrate – or lose fluid – they begin to bulge outward, pushing against the vertebrae, which in turn push the vertebrae close to others near it. This is when the problems with pain begin.
Many people of course suffer from this condition without even knowing it as they do not feel the pain but in other cases the pain can be quite severe and as the nerves touch it can cause muscle spasms, involuntary numbness of the lower limbs and problems with the organs in and around the pelvic region.
It is safe to say that as these nerves follow a path from their point of origin in the spine to the legs or the arms or the neck then the pain will follow this same path and the sufferer may well find that he or she is experiencing different levels of pain in a variety of places.
How the Disc Gets Damaged
The replenishment of this fluid – known as the Intradiscal Fluid Exchange – normally occurs at night but if the disc is damaged then it will struggle to reabsorb fluid. In other words it will lose more fluid than it will take back onboard. This is referred to as Negative Intradiscal Fluid Exchange.
It is also important to look at the ways in which these discs can become damaged.
Overworking, incorrect seating posture and injury in an accident are the most common ways in which a disc can become diseased and dehydrated as too can natural ailments such as Scoliosis. Scoliosis is a sideways curving of the spine sometimes caused by genetic abnormalities such as Spina Bifida. This curving of the spine has also been known to cause adverse effects on an individual’s ability to breath and can – in extreme instances – lead to heart failure.
Again many people find that during the course of their busy lives they are lifting heavy weights and doing so in the wrong manner. If you work in such an environment it is imperative that you are fully conversant with Lifting and Handling procedures. If you are not you should consult your Health and Safety representative and request that – if you must lift heavy objects – you should be trained in the correct way to do so.
Likewise correct posture whilst sitting down for long periods is also a must and again your Health and Safety representative should be charged with the task of ensuring your chair is suitable for you given body mass, height etc.
Regular exercise is also important but it is wise to note that too much exercise can have an adverse affect so scheduling how much exercise you do and how often is another important factor.
i was diagnosed with dehyrated lumber discs by mir scan back in 1999 i nad loads of treament in the past now am on morphine trying to help me with the pain i bin in and out of jobs since diagnosed .am now finding hard to cope now with this all i get from the doctors is what can i do for you .i have bin told am 100% fit for work because there is no operation for me
shane - 29 January 2012 @ 1:51 PM
i fell about 10ft at work and landed badly,about one year later the pain started,sometimes severe.that was seven years ago.ever since then i
have a constant pain in my lower back sometimes it gets really painfull.because it never goes away it has made me feel old and cranky,im only 36.i had an mri and they found that half of one disc was dehydrated the side towards the stomach that is. any input on this would be great,thanks justy
justy - 30 November 2011 @ 12:58 AM
Hi I received whiplash injury during a roadside accident 10 months ago . Since then I have suffered constant back pain & excruciating pain down my left leg. Physiotherapy didn't help much. My recent MRI scan showed one & half disc dehydrated. I was told that it is puting a lot of pressure on my nervs. I have been referred to acute pain management. I want to know whether there is any cure for such pain & whether there is any other treatment other than steroid injection & how useful they aree.g. accupuncture / accupressure.
S. - 27 August 2011 @ 9:07 AM
Im 48 yrs.old and base on the result of my M.R.I.,last february 18 2011,I have a disc dehydration within L4-5 and L5-1,is there a way to stop the dehydration?if,? how.thanks a lot for your reply
dindo - 20 May 2011 @ 10:53 PM
I'm 27 and have 2 disc's but 3 bulges removed at the l5 s1 and l4 level and am looking at another one at t10 I personally haven't been completely cured but the pain in my legs is significantly improved. I don't think the back pain will ever go away fully either but the pinched nerve pain in my legs is a lot less crippling. A dehydrated disc is where it loses fluid throughout the day like all your disc but they replenish them selves while we sleep the dehydrated disc just can't full replenish it's self. Nikki I had the same problem as you I had a young child to care for and I really feel for you it's really hard work and saddening when you can't play with them. Try some steroid epidurals and nerve root injections before surgery and acupuncture worked wonders for a short time so it can be quite costly. Unless it's imperative try to avoid surgery, pilates exercises are meant to be really good to free you up for the day. But don't worry there are things that can be done but be warned the NHS take forever to sort things out. Good luck ladies x
Sweetpea - 1 May 2011 @ 12:09 AM
Hello, I was involved in a car accident and just had an MRI of my lower back because I have been experiencing A LOT of pain.My MRI says that I have "dehydrated disc at L5-S1.Right sided bulge of the in tervertebral disc at L5-S1, which is flattening the right side of the thecal sac."I am trying to figure out my next course of action and which way I should go because I am in constant pain.I have 2 small children and need to be able to take care of them. Anyways, if you could please explain this to me a little bit better maybe I would be able to make my desicion easier. Thank you.---Nikki
nikki - 24 April 2011 @ 9:22 PM
I have recently been diagnosed with dehydrated lumbar discs via MRI scan, there is little information about this.
I'm off to see the pain managment team, but, I want to understand my condition better, from diognosis to future problems
