Menopause is a condition that is accompanied by a decrease in estrogen levels, resulting in hot flashes, sudden changes in mood, difficulty sleeping and changes in libido. It is thought that the causes of low back pain and degenerative disc disease seen in menopause are low estrogen, vitamin D and calcium levels.
Between the main bone masses of the spine are fibrous cartilage discs that absorb shock. These discs also support and stabilize the spine. It allows free, pain-free movement of the spine by allowing bending forward and sideways. It also allows normal daily activities such as bending, lifting, and turning the body sideways. The painlessness of the spine and discs is very important in defining body health and well-being.
Over time, these disc-shaped cartilages lose their water and elasticity. This condition is a part of the normal aging process and most of the time it does not cause any problems. Degenerative disc disease is when the disc becomes thinner over time, loses its height and loses its elasticity.
After degenerative disc disease develops, the spine begins producing bone to stabilize itself. These bone growths (osteophytes) begin to narrow the spinal canal. This narrowing begins to compress the nerves that exit the spinal cord and go to our arms and legs. As a result, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, muscle spasms and arm and leg pain occur. These findings are often accompanied by neck, back and waist pain.
Treatment is needed after degenerative disc disease and complaints related to this degenerative process in the spine begin. The majority of patients can be treated with physical therapy, manual therapy, pain interventions and exercise. Surgery may be required in patients who do not benefit from these treatments.
What is the effect of Vitamin D on bone health?
Vitamin D is produced in the body. It is a vitamin with many functions and is produced when exposed to the sun. It can also be found in some foods. One of the most important functions of vitamin D is to support bone health by ensuring the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. If vitamin D deficiency occurs, osteoporosis may occur. Osteoporosis, bone density It is the weakening of the bone over time as a result of the decrease in bone density. It is a disease that can cause painful spinal fractures. One of the main causes of osteoporosis is inadequate calcium and vitamin D in the diet, and the other is hormonal imbalances. Low estrogen after menopause can also trigger osteoporosis and lower back pain.
What is the effect of estrogen on bone and cartilage health?
While estrogen activates bone-producing cells called osteoblasts, It also reduces bone destruction. Diseases such as osteoporosis are triggered in people with chronic hormone deficiency and especially in post-menopausal women. As a result, bone density decreases.
Estrogen is also known to support the connective tissues (collagen) found in the disc cartilage between the vertebrae. With the decrease in estrogen after menopause, degenerative disc disease and related low back pain may occur more frequently.
As a result, with the decrease in estrogen after menopause, low back pain due to vitamin D and calcium deficiency, osteoporosis and degenerative disc disease may occur. Added to these pathological changes is the increasing degenerative process in the spine during the same age period. Thus, complaints may increase even more. For this reason, women should not skip their doctor's check-ups during menopause and should regularly apply bone tissue strengthening treatment, diet and exercises.
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