Aging is a natural process whose effects will be felt by anyone, regardless of lifestyle. Proper diet and exercise can slow down the effects of aging, but only to a certain extent.
Spinal conditions are often associated with the aging process. According to Dr. Joseph Yazdi, a spine specialist, spinal conditions in elderly people are common and can turn severe if left unchecked or untreated. Here are some of the most common spinal problems found in elderly people.
Osteoporosis
More common in women than men, osteoporosis is the result of decreasing bone mass. The lack of mass from protein and minerals like calcium can leave the bones brittle and prone to fracture. In most cases, the chance of acquiring osteoporosis can be reduced by improving protein and calcium intake early.
Spinal fractures and hyperkyphosis
Spinal fractures are a common type of osteoporotic fracture which can sometimes mimic the symptoms of other diseases. Meanwhile, hyperkyphosis are posture conditions brought about by spinal fractures. People who suffer from hyperkyphosis and spinal fractures often experience a nagging back pain significantly affecting comfort levels.
Disc degeneration
The structural strength and integrity of the spine diminishes as we age. This has a corresponding effect on discs, bones, ligaments, joints, and nerves. When this happens, certain parts of the spinal column could be misaligned, resulting in pressure exerted on the nerves and subsequently, pain. While Dr. Joseph Yazdi could propose certain non-surgical treatments for pain relief, the degraded state of the spinal column has only limited healing capacity and could require particular treatment plans.
Dr. Joseph Yazdi specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, motion preservation through total disc replacement, and chronic pain management through placement of dorsal column stimulator (DCS, or SCS) in selected patients. Over the years, he has also published several studies on neurosurgical best practice. For more information on spinal health, visit this website.
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Image source: health.harvard.edu
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Spinal conditions are often associated with the aging process. According to Dr. Joseph Yazdi, a spine specialist, spinal conditions in elderly people are common and can turn severe if left unchecked or untreated. Here are some of the most common spinal problems found in elderly people.
Osteoporosis
More common in women than men, osteoporosis is the result of decreasing bone mass. The lack of mass from protein and minerals like calcium can leave the bones brittle and prone to fracture. In most cases, the chance of acquiring osteoporosis can be reduced by improving protein and calcium intake early.
 |
Image source: spineuniverse.com
|
Spinal fractures are a common type of osteoporotic fracture which can sometimes mimic the symptoms of other diseases. Meanwhile, hyperkyphosis are posture conditions brought about by spinal fractures. People who suffer from hyperkyphosis and spinal fractures often experience a nagging back pain significantly affecting comfort levels.
Disc degeneration
The structural strength and integrity of the spine diminishes as we age. This has a corresponding effect on discs, bones, ligaments, joints, and nerves. When this happens, certain parts of the spinal column could be misaligned, resulting in pressure exerted on the nerves and subsequently, pain. While Dr. Joseph Yazdi could propose certain non-surgical treatments for pain relief, the degraded state of the spinal column has only limited healing capacity and could require particular treatment plans.
Dr. Joseph Yazdi specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, motion preservation through total disc replacement, and chronic pain management through placement of dorsal column stimulator (DCS, or SCS) in selected patients. Over the years, he has also published several studies on neurosurgical best practice. For more information on spinal health, visit this website.
