Dehydrated Discs

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.