‘Scoliosis
progresses 8 times more in girls than in boys’
Scoliosis, a spinal
deformity that affects four in 1,000 adolescents can alter the shape of
your teen’s back, rib cage, shoulders, hips and can lead to back pain and poor self-image. In
short scoliosis not only has physical but serious mental repercussions on
patients as well as their family members. National Scoliosis Awareness month is
observed every year in June. On this occasion it is important to understand the
effects of this potentially crippling condition and the need for education and
early detection.
The 'Unnatural' Curve
The human spine or
backbone is formed of multiple vertebrae which protect and support the spinal
cord and helps it hold the body upright. In Scoliosis, a condition
particularly related to the spine, the individual's spine is not straight but
rather curved. In the absence of the spine’s gentle curve down the back, it is
impossible to walk or balance the body. However in Scoliosis, the spine
bends to the side abnormally; either to the right or left.
Back
pain can eventually develop as the condition progresses. The deformity may
cause pressure on your nerves and possibly even on your spinal cord. This can
lead to weakness, numbness, and pain in your lower extremities. In severe
cases, pressure on the spinal cord may cause loss of coordination in the
muscles of your legs, making it difficult to walk normally. If your chest is
deformed due to the scoliosis, your lungs and heart may be affected. This can
cause breathing problems, fatigue, and even heart failure. Fortunately these
severe symptoms are rare.
However
with advancement in age, the problem further aggravates. With time scoliosis
develops and so does with time its symptoms manifest in an individual’s life. A
scoliotic person can be an active individual performing all the life tasks with
zeal and vigor but the inability of their spine to stand straight is the major
disabling factor in their life.
Scoliosis progresses
8 times more in girls than in boys
While scoliosis may
develop in infancy or early childhood, the most common age for it to occur is
early puberty, with most cases first detected between the ages of 9 and 13. The
condition is related to growth and if it is going to get worse, it will mainly
do so when the child is growing most rapidly.
Of the approximately
2-2.5% of adolescents with scoliosis, the curve will worsen in about 10%.
Though it is unclear why, scoliosis occurs equally across gender but progresses
8 times more in girls than in boys. This is why many specialists recommend that
girls especially, but in fact all children, be screened frequently during
growth.
What causes
Scoliosis?
·
Unknown causes - in about 80% of cases the cause is unknown.
·
Neuromuscular conditions - these are
conditions that affect the nerves and muscles. About 20% of scoliosis cases are
caused by neuromuscular conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. In such cases the child
may not be able to walk to stay upright, further preventing the spins from
growing properly.
·
Present at birth - this is rare and occurs
because of the bones in the spine developing abnormally when the fetus is developing
in the uterus (womb).
·
Leg length - if one leg is longer than the other the
individual may develop scoliosis.
·
Other causes - bad posture, using backpacks or satchels, and
exercise may also cause scoliosis.
Symptoms of Scoliosis
People
with scoliosis commonly see a spine specialist because they notice a problem
with the way their back looks. Most common observation are-:
·
One
shoulder or hip may be higher than the other.
·
One
shoulder blade may be higher and stick out farther than the other.
·
A
“rib hump” may occur, which is a hump on your back that sticks up when you bend
forward. This occurs because the ribs on one side angle more than on the other
side.
·
One
arm hangs longer than the other because of a tilt in the upper body.
·
The
waist may appear asymmetrical.
Scoliosis impacts
physical and emotional health
A scoliotic person
can be an active individual performing all the activities of daily living but
low on self-confidence, very conscious about their appearance and in extreme
cases may be under depression.
A recent study found
that adolescents with progressive Scoliosis report lower self-image and worse
quality of life than children without scoliosis.
Many studies have
found that teenagers with scoliosis are not happy with their appearance. They
often fear that their bodies are developing abnormally. Boys with scoliosis
tend to view themselves in poorer health when compared to their peers. So
diagnosis of scoliosis in a child who already struggles with poor body image
can cause her more stress.
Other emotional
issues
Being diagnosed with
scoliosis can cause lot of stress. When first diagnosed, they may have felt
anxiety, fear, and withdrawal. These feelings tend to improve with time
depending on treatment.
If one has to wear a
brace before surgery, he/she may face a few issues:
·
Feeling
different from her friends at a sensitive age.
·
trying
to wear clothing that hides the brace
·
deciding
whether to w. ear the brace with certain social activities
·
teasing
from other teens at school.
·
Scoliosis
can put patient at risk for alcohol or drug use, suicidal thoughts, and other
issues. It seems that teens who receive scoliosis treatment after age 16 years
have more emotional problems than those treated at a younger age.
How to
tackle Scoliosis effectively:
Early consultation
can help patient in getting good results and do help in preventing the progression. Most
of the parents are apprehensive and under informed pertaining to progress of
the disease and the cosmetic appearance of their child. A common behavioral
pattern in parents is that they become obsessive and over indulge themselves in
rehabilitation program. On the other hand child becomes an attention seeker and
at times rebel.
While surgery is a
popular option for people suffering from Scoliosis, it is also advised to look
into other forms of corrective measures before going under the knife.
Parental education
and involvement of parents in rehabilitation program (by teaching them
exercises, techniques and corrective positioning to be replicated at home) can
help them become more accepting and in general at ease with themselves. Exercising
regularly can help a scoliotic child better about her body. Being in contact
with other patients facing the same issues can really help. Talking about the
challenges of clothing, sports, and dating can help to cope better. Talking
with peers can also help her feel less isolated.
Usage of wall bar
exercises, swiss ball exercises, etc. breaks the monotonous pattern of exercise
and maintains interest of the patient. Overall it not only helps in maintenance
or preventing progression of curve but also help patient and their family
member more acceptable and self confident.
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