While not technically a disease, degenerative disk disease is a condition that happens when a person’s spinal disks wear down and no longer provide the cushion needed between the spine’s vertebras. Spinal disks are rubbery cushions that are located between each of the vertebrae in the spinal column. Their job is to act as shock absorbers, reducing the impact of movement on the vertebrae. While it’s natural for most people’s disks to wear down once they get older, for some, they wear down so much that they begin to experience a lot of pain and some movements become almost impossible to perform anymore. A 24-hour home care provider could be there for your loved one to assist them if they are affected by this condition.
Degenerative disk disease can be located in the lower back, the upper back, or in both areas. The area that is affected will determine what kind of symptoms your loved one may struggle with.
Symptoms of Degenerative Disk Disease
Pain is the main symptom of this condition. It can range from mild to debilitating depending on which disk(s) are affected and where they are located on the spine.
- Pain that increases when your loved one tries to bend over, twist, or lift a heavier item.
- Pain that worsens upon sitting and then feels better once your loved one is standing or walking around.
- Back pain improves when your loved one shifts positions when sitting or lying down.
- A numbness or tingling in the arms and legs if the damaged disk is affecting a nerve in the spine.
- Weakened leg muscles.
Risk Factors that Could Increase the Likelihood of Developing Degenerative Disk Disease
While simply getting older increases the risk of developing degenerative disk disease, other factors can contribute to an increased risk of your loved one developing this painful condition.
- Having suffered from an acute back injury such as a bad fall or a car accident.
- Being overweight puts more pressure on the spine and can speed up disk degeneration.
- Other health conditions of the bones or spine like osteoporosis, scoliosis, or spinal stenosis.
- Being a smoker.
- Having had a physically demanding profession, especially with a lot of lifting.
Getting 24-Hour Home Care Help For Your Loved One with Degenerative Disk Disease
While there isn’t a cure for degenerative disk disease, there are treatments for it as well as possible surgery. Whether your loved one gets surgery or has to make some lifestyle changes to live with the condition in less pain, having a 24-hour home care team can help her manage her daily tasks at home so she doesn’t need to leave her home even if she is limited in the abilities she still has at home.
A 24-hour home care team can be there to help her post-surgery care by providing support, meals, and transportation as needed. 24-hour home care providers can also be a regular part of her daily life, helping her get dressed in the morning, bathing at night, and managing her home. They can also help her follow the doctor’s orders to prevent more damage from occurring to her spine by supporting her goals of maintaining a healthy weight, getting some doctor-recommended exercise, and even quitting smoking if she is a smoker. 24-hour home care supports your loved one in her home so that she doesn’t need to leave the home she loves.