Anthony Ravasio Health 9 April 09, 2017 Scoliosis Anthony Ravasio Health 9 April 09, 2017

What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is a disease that is developed genetically and through bad habits. You can develop it when you sitting posture is not correct, and you continue to sit in that bad posture for a long time. It affects the vertebrae in your back, making it curve in one or many directions. When a person has scoliosis, their backbone curves to the side.

What Causes Scoliosis? IN AS MANY AS 80% OF CASES, DOCTORS DON’T FIND THE EXACT REASON FOR A CURVED SPINE. SCOLIOSIS WITHOUT A KNOWN CAUSE IS WHAT DOCTORS CALL “IDIOPATHIC.” SOME KINDS OF SCOLIOSIS DO HAVE CLEAR CAUSES. DOCTORS DIVIDE THe CURVES INTO TWO TYPES -- STRUCTURAL AND NONSTRUCTURAL. IN NONSTRUCTURAL SCOLIOSIS, THE SPINE WORKS NORMALLY, BUT LOOKS CURVED. IN STRUCTURAL SCOLIOSIS, THE CURVE OF THE SPINE IS RIGID AND CAN’T BE REVERSED. CAUSES INCLUDE: Cerebral palsy Muscular dystrophy Birth defects Infections Tumors Genetic conditions like Marfan syndrome and Down syndrome

Symptoms of Scoliosis Symptoms may include: Difference in shoulder height The head is not centered with the rest of the body Difference in hip height or position Difference in shoulder blade height or position When standing straight, difference in the way the arms hang beside the body When bending forward, the sides of the back appear different in height Back pain, leg pain, and changes in bowel and bladder habits are not commonly associated with idiopathic scoliosis. A child experiencing these types of symptoms needs immediate medical evaluation by a healthcare provider.  The symptoms of scoliosis may resemble other spinal conditions or deformities. Or, they may be a result of an injury or infection. Always talk with your child's healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Does Scoliosis spread? Scoliosis does not spread by the normal ways sickness or diseases like a cold or cough. Scoliosis can only spread genetically, through generations of family.

Can Scoliosis be Treated/Cured? IS IT FATAL?!? Scoliosis can be treated by a couple different means. The need for treatment of scoliosis depends on the age of the patient(skeletal maturity), degree of curvature of the spine and risk of progression of the curvature. The choice of treatments include: observation bracing Surgery Scoliosis in itself is not fatal. Only is its most extreme forms, without treatment, can it impact the function of your heart and lungs (curves more than 100 degrees). This can be avoided by recognition and by surgical treatment if the curves are greater than 50 degrees.

Scoliosis Patients by Age As seen in the graph, people by the age of 18-44 are more prevalent to get scoliosis then all other age groups. The 45-64 age group is not far behind.

Fast Facts about Scoliosis

Facts Fact #1: If you are diagnosed with scoliosis, you probably won’t need surgery When diagnosed with scoliosis, many people fear the only course of action will be major surgery. Fact #2: The size or the location of your spine’s curve doesn’t predict whether or not you will have symptoms As you age, your spine begins to deteriorate. As it weakens, it may also begin to curve. Some people may never have any symptoms. Others might experience leg pain, numbness or tingling when walking and/or back pain. Fact #3: Adults can have one of two types of scoliosis Doctors see two types of scoliosis in adults. One is the type of scoliosis doctors also see in teenagers. This is called idiopathic scoliosis. In some cases, the curve progresses and begins to cause symptoms in adulthood. In other cases, it is not diagnosed until adulthood. Fact #4: Smoking causes back and neck problems In addition to seeking treatment for scoliosis, there are things you can do at home to reduce your symptoms. “The most important thing you can do is not smoke. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of back and neck problems.” (WebMD) Fact #5: You can still exercise with scoliosis The more physically active people with scoliosis are, the less likely they are to be symptomatic. If you are overweight, weight loss can also help to reduce scoliosis symptoms. It’s also important to monitor your bone density and seek treatment if you have osteoporosis.

Citations Brain and Spine Team. "5 Surprising Facts About Adult Scoliosis." Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic, 21 Oct. 2016. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/11/5- surprising-facts-about-adult-scoliosis/>. Blhad, William, M.D. "What Is Scoliosis and What Causes It?" WebMD. WebMD Medical Reference, 11 Oct. 2016. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/causes-scoliosis#2>. Brain and Spine Team. "Adult Spinal Deformity and Degenerative Scoliosis." BMUS: The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States. Brine and Spine Team, 11 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <http://www.boneandjointburden.org/2014-report/iiid20/adult- spinal-deformity-and-degenerative-scoliosis>.