Kyphosis: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment , & Prevention

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Kyphosis

What is Kyphosis?Kyphosis or ‘dowager’s hump’ is also known as hunchback or round back. This occurs when the spine in the upper back has an unnatural curve that gives the back a hunchback appearance in the posture. Kyphosis in older women is called a dowager's hump. There are 3 types of kyphosis. They are as follows:

Postural Kyphosis: This is the commonest of all types and occurs during teenage. Poor posture leads to this curvature that is flexible and it goes away with a change in position.
Scheuermann’s kyphosis: This condition is named in the doctor’s name that identified it first. This also occurs in teenagers and commonly seen in men than in women. This happens when the vertebrae bones that are rectangular in shape changes to a wedge shape. This makes the bone curve forward resulting in the round shape of the spine.
Congenital kyphosis: This condition occurs by birth due to abnormal development of the spine before birth. The condition worsens as the child grows depending on which part of the spine is affected.

Kyphosis SymptomsIn mild cases, there are no noticeable symptoms other than a hump appearing in the back. With an increase in curvature, you are likely to observe the following as kyphosis symptoms.

Poor posture
Stiffness and pain in the back and shoulder.
Numbness and tingling in legs.
Fatigue and weakness
Breathlessness and other breathing problems

Who is at Risk?The two main kyphosis risk factors are as follows:

Family history of the condition
Osteoporosis or low bone density

Apart from this, those who have an abnormality in the spine by birth are at risk of developing kyphosis as you age. Also, it is seen commonly in people at an older age due to postural changes.Besides causing back pain, kyphosis can have certain complications like limited physical movements, digestive problems, breathing problems, poor body image that can lead to social isolation.Kyphosis CausesKyphosis happens when the bones in the vertebrae that form spine become wedge-shaped because of poor posture. The other kyphosis causes include the following:

Aging with poor posture
Scheuermann’s disease, that is seen in children
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Bone degenerative diseases
Muscle weakness especially in the upper back
Slipped discs
Spine injury
Scoliosis or curvature of the spine
Tumors and infections
Polio
Birth defects of the spine
Muscular dystrophy
Connective tissue diseases
Paget disease

However, you shall look for treatment options when you have severe pain, fatigue, or breathing problems.How is Kyphosis Diagnosed?A physical examination will be conducted by the Kyphosis doctor to check your height. You’ll also be asked to bend forward to examine the curvature of your spine as part of kyphosis diagnosis. The doctor will also check for muscle strength and nerve reflux. Besides these, your doctor may recommend the following kyphosis tests:

X-ray or CT scan which helps to detect the degree of curvature and deformities of vertebrae.
MRI to detect tumors and infection in the spine.
Bone density tests to detect if low bone density is causing kyphosis.
Nerve tests in case you have symptoms like muscle weakness and numbness.

How is Kyphosis treated?Kyphosis treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the condition. In Scheuermann’s kyphosis where children are affected, consultation with a pediatrician is advised. Exercises can help improve the posture if that is the root cause. Medications are recommended to treat if the root cause is osteoporosis or arthritis. Spinal fusion is the surgical method to correct the curvature of the spine in case the root cause is tumors.Cure.fit is a renowned wellness provider who can help you get the assistance of the appropriate medical practitioner for kyphosis cure. With their multicity presence, it becomes easy for you to find the nearby branch for consultation. They have very easy and simple operational procedures that you can follow. You can simply log on to their website and book an appointment at your convenience and wait for them to revert with the confirmation. Be clear with your signs and symptoms while consulting with the doctor. Now let the doctor decide regarding treatment that is apt for you. Be sure that you are safe in the hands of Cure.fit as they ensure the privacy and security of each patient to build credibility.How can Kyphosis be Prevented?Certain factors will help in kyphosis prevention in terms of improving bone density and posture corrections. Balancing your diet by consuming food rich in Vitamin D and calcium can help. Also, do not fail to limit your alcohol intake and avoid tobacco for better health.

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