Scoliosis Essay
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It will cause either a C-shaped or S-shaped curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a disease that attacks the muscles and ligaments of the spinal column causing a sideways twisting and rotation of the spine, ribs, and pelvis. There are many different branches of this disease, but the most common type is idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is usually found in children between the ages of ten and twelve. Girls are more likely than boy to have this type of scoliosis. Treatment of scoliosis is based on the type of scoliosis, the person’s age, how much more the person is likely to grow, and the degree of the curve. Scoliosis can be viewed from two extremes; from harmless to horribly deforming. Scoliosis effects five to seven million people in the United States. About three out of every one hundred people have some form of scoliosis, but it may not be a significant problem for all (Rigo 12). A symptom for someone with just a small curvature may just be back pain or discomfort. Those with a greater curvature may notice a change in their physical appearance along with the symptoms of the lesser curvature. It may cause a person’s entire body to change if they have a severely curved spine. Having
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scoliosis, my symptoms seemed to be more physical than anything else. The first problem I realized was the twisting of my ribs. The twisting of the ribs can also make it difficult to breath. There are many obvious signs of scoliosis, but the less obvious signs may have to be detected by a health professional. Scoliosis can be physically embarrassing for many people, especially when it is causing their body to look deformed.
It hurts when others point out your problems. It is difficult when those with scoliosis can not do all the things another person can do. Scoliosis will cause severe pain most of the time. It can be both physically and mentally exhausting for a person with scoliosis. Scoliosis also causes a very big challenge financially. There are several ways one can get help with their scoliosis, but with that comes money. It is sometimes difficult for families to make ends meet with the cost of the treatment. The financial aspect of scoliosis can put a burden on both the patient and the patient’s
family. Treatment of scoliosis depends on the severity of the curvature. The treatment may be limited to just wearing a corrective back brace. If the curvature is extreme or continues to progress, then it may require surgery. Different doctors also have different ideas on their treatment of scoliosis. Surgery is usually considered for those with a curvature of forty-five degrees or more. The first step a doctor will normally take in the treatment of scoliosis is bracing (Pialasse and Simoneau 137). Bracing is typically used on those who are still growing. Since the spine is still changing positions as a person is growing, the bracing could help straighten the spine out. If a person is done growing and their curvature is below forty-five degrees, then it is unlikely their curvature will worsen. If the curvature is extreme or continues to progress, it may require surgery. During this procedure a metal rod is inserted to support the spine. Surgery is usually the last option, but it can drastically change the curvature of the spine for the better. In my case, the scoliosis was not detected early enough. I was almost done growing when my curvature was measured to be fifty-two degrees. I eventually underwent the surgery which reduced my curvature down to just fourteen degrees. About eighty percent of scoliosis cases have an unknown cause. More research is being done each and every day to find out the cause of scoliosis. There are many theories as to what the cause is, but none of them have been proven to be one hundred percent true. However, there is strong evidence that in most cases scoliosis is inherited. Scoliosis is a pretty common disease that everyone should be on the look out for. A large amount of the curvature that scoliosis causes, can be corrected if the disease is detected early. It is your job to get checked out if you recognize signs of scoliosis. You are the one who decides if your scoliosis will be harmless or horribly deforming.
scoliosis, my symptoms seemed to be more physical than anything else. The first problem I realized was the twisting of my ribs. The twisting of the ribs can also make it difficult to breath. There are many obvious signs of scoliosis, but the less obvious signs may have to be detected by a health professional. Scoliosis can be physically embarrassing for many people, especially when it is causing their body to look deformed.
It hurts when others point out your problems. It is difficult when those with scoliosis can not do all the things another person can do. Scoliosis will cause severe pain most of the time. It can be both physically and mentally exhausting for a person with scoliosis. Scoliosis also causes a very big challenge financially. There are several ways one can get help with their scoliosis, but with that comes money. It is sometimes difficult for families to make ends meet with the cost of the treatment. The financial aspect of scoliosis can put a burden on both the patient and the patient’s
family. Treatment of scoliosis depends on the severity of the curvature. The treatment may be limited to just wearing a corrective back brace. If the curvature is extreme or continues to progress, then it may require surgery. Different doctors also have different ideas on their treatment of scoliosis. Surgery is usually considered for those with a curvature of forty-five degrees or more. The first step a doctor will normally take in the treatment of scoliosis is bracing (Pialasse and Simoneau 137). Bracing is typically used on those who are still growing. Since the spine is still changing positions as a person is growing, the bracing could help straighten the spine out. If a person is done growing and their curvature is below forty-five degrees, then it is unlikely their curvature will worsen. If the curvature is extreme or continues to progress, it may require surgery. During this procedure a metal rod is inserted to support the spine. Surgery is usually the last option, but it can drastically change the curvature of the spine for the better. In my case, the scoliosis was not detected early enough. I was almost done growing when my curvature was measured to be fifty-two degrees. I eventually underwent the surgery which reduced my curvature down to just fourteen degrees. About eighty percent of scoliosis cases have an unknown cause. More research is being done each and every day to find out the cause of scoliosis. There are many theories as to what the cause is, but none of them have been proven to be one hundred percent true. However, there is strong evidence that in most cases scoliosis is inherited. Scoliosis is a pretty common disease that everyone should be on the look out for. A large amount of the curvature that scoliosis causes, can be corrected if the disease is detected early. It is your job to get checked out if you recognize signs of scoliosis. You are the one who decides if your scoliosis will be harmless or horribly deforming.