Even though medical
technology and treatments have moved at an alarming pace there are some
conditions that still baffle doctors. Scoliosis of the spine is one of these conditions that still elude doctors in many
cases. Scoliosis is not a disease but rather a condition that is marked by
an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. Generally this means that the
spine grows in an 's' shape instead of a straight shape. It is a
progressive disease for which the only real cure is surgery though in many
of the cases such drastic treatment is usually not necessary.
There are four different
types of scoliosis of the spine that have been identified by medical personnel
today. Congenital scoliosis occurs because of a defect or abnormality
during pregnancy. This can lead to the condition developing in infancy.
Degenerative scoliosis occurs from the natural degeneration of bone and
muscle as people age. As such it is usually people of a much advanced age
that suffer from this form of scoliosis but this is not always the case.
Degenerative diseases can also lead to this form of scoliosis.
Developmental scoliosis develops when there is an abnormally low
development of the spinal neuromuscular structure. Since the muscles are
not strong enough to resist the abnormal curving of the spine the
condition develops. This form of scoliosis is often seen in people that
are already suffering from other neuromuscular disorders.
The final type of
scoliosis of the spine is not really a type since doctors are not sure what the
cause is. Any scoliosis for which the cause is unknown is called
idiopathic scoliosis. This type of scoliosis can occur for any number of
reasons but usually develops during adolescence. The growth spurts during
this stage of life make the progress of the disease quite fast and if not
treated quickly or the progress stopped the condition can become very
serious. While doctors are still not sure as to the causes behind this
kind of scoliosis they have noted that it runs in families. Recently
researchers have discovered what they believe to be the gene that codes
for scoliosis but the search continues.
The only real treatment
for scoliosis of the spine is surgery but this is only done in extreme cases where the
patient is suffering from a lot of pain or discomfort. The usual treatment
is a brace that attempts to straighten the spine of the patient and to
halt the progress of the condition. Physical exercises may or may not be
recommended to a person wearing brace. These exercises have shown that
people suffering from scoliosis tend to be more flexible and there is some
evidence that it can slow the progress of the condition as well. There is
no research to back this up, however.
Scoliosis is not a life
sentence. Many sufferers enjoy relatively normal and active lives. The
treatments available can make living it with more bearable but are not
miracle cures. For more information on the condition and treatments, visit
your
doctor.
