Back pain can be debilitating and they are many different causes. One of the more common types of back pain and neck pain is called degenerative disc disease. The name for this condition can often elicit fear, but this disease is common and should be diagnosed properly. Even though degenerative disc disease is very common, it is still a condition that is not understood by many. This means that if you are experiencing lower back pain and neck pain, you should read the information below. One of the biggest questions with this back pain condition involves the cause. Is degenerative disc disease hereditary?
What Is Degenerative Back Disease?
This condition is very broad and it is used to describe symptoms that are attributed to back pain that stems from discs that are located in the spine. It is fairly easy to diagnose this condition, but treatment and management can be a bit tricky. It is a degenerative condition, so that means symptoms will worsen over time. However, this condition is not actually a disease and the symptoms might not worsen over time if you make lifestyle changes and manage your back pain effectively.
This diagnosis can be scary, but this condition is manageable for most. Degenerative is used in the name of this condition, but it is not describing the symptoms. The discs are what degenerate over time with age, but this is unavoidable and happens in everyone. This means that individuals with this condition will experience varying symptoms and varying degrees of pain.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
This condition is actually a very normal part of aging, but when the pain is more severe it can be attributed to degenerative disc disease. The cause of this condition is often linked to lifestyle, but heredity does play a part. This condition is not completely hereditary, but it can be linked to genetics in some way. This disease is often caused by abnormal wear and tear to the spinal discs.
This means that lifestyle choices can have a vast impact on this condition. Heredity is a component of this condition, but it can be offset by correct lifestyle choices. This condition is usually unavoidable as you age, because the discs in your spine simply break down. However, the amount of pain that you experience can be avoided by living a healthy and active lifestyle with normal exercise.
