BY GEORGE NAVA TRUE II
PEOPLE admire curvy women, but one curve that needs medical attention is scoliosis. There are no statistics about scoliosis in the Philippines, but those who have it know how disabling the condition is.
Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine that usually occurs during the growth spurt just before puberty. The Mayo Clinic said about 3% of adolescents have scoliosis. In most cases, there is no known cause although it may be inherited. However, kids who develop scoliosis don’t have a family history of the disease.
In some, the condition is linked to neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Spinal injuries or infections and birth defects that affect the development of the spine are other causes.
Other risk factors for scoliosis include:
* Age – symptoms of scoliosis often begin during the growth spurt that occurs before puberty.
* Sex – while boys and girls develop mild scoliosis at about the same rate, girls have a higher risk of the condition. This often worsens and needs treatment.
Symptoms of scoliosis include uneven shoulders and waist, one hip higher than another, and one shoulder blade that is more prominent than the other.
Most cases of scoliosis are mild, but some spine deformities can worsen as kids grow. This can lead to:
* Changes in appearance – the condition can cause uneven hips and shoulders, prominent ribs, and a shift of the waist and trunk to the side.
* Back problems – adults who had scoliosis as children will often have chronic back pain.
* Lung and heart damage – severe scoliosis can make it difficult to breathe and harder for the heart to pump.
An X-ray will confirm if your child has scoliosis. In most cases, the condition is mild, and no treatment is required. Others may require braces or surgery to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Braces are good for moderate cases. These are worn day and night. They won’t cure the condition but will prevent it from getting worse. Most braces are made of plastic and won’t restrict the child’s activities. They can also be removed when necessary.
The Mayo Clinic said treatment for scoliosis depends on the following:
* Curve pattern – double or S-shaped curves tend to worsen more C-shaped curves.
* Location of the curve – curves in the center (thoracic) section of the spine tend to worsen more often than those in the upper or lower sections of the spine.
* Maturity – if a child’s bones have stopped growing, the risk of curve progression is low. Thus, braces work well in kids whose bones are still growing.
* Sex – girls who have scoliosis are more likely to get worse than boys.
* The severity of the curve – large curves are more likely to get worse with time.
Chiropractic manipulation and dietary supplements do not affect scoliosis, so don’t waste time on these things.
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National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George N. True II has written two bestsellers based on his popular column which has been running for almost 40 years. For questions about health, email georgenavatrue@yahoo.com./PN
