Habit of Frequent Texting can lead to Text Neck Syndrome

A new obsession has engulfed people these days, i.e frequent texting. Wherever we go, be it office, home or supermarket, we find everyone just looking down at their phones (hunched) and texting. This obsession has not just made people distant from the real world but has also lead to a new health problem called 'Text Neck Syndrome'. This problem has risen tremendously, with people from all age groups being affected by it. Due to this syndrome, a large number of people complain about problems like severe upper back pain, shoulder pain and muscle strain in the neck region. Especially young teenagers are becoming a victim to this problem which in the long run can cause permanent damage to their cervical spine, leading to lifetime neck pain.

Preventing chronic neck pain

Our neck bears a heavy load of our head which makes it more prone to various problems like chronic neck pain and cervical spondylitis. Our lifestyle and most importantly our posture, plays a very important role in preventing our neck pain. Making some simple stretching exercises a part of your daily routine can go a long way in preventing neck related problems.

 

Cauda Equina Syndrome, a severe condition affecting Lower Back

     

Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) is a serious lower back disorder that causes extreme pain and swelling of the nerves, particularly at the end of the spinal cord which is also called the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is responsible for supplying signals to the legs, control the muscle movements in the lower body. Patients suffering from this condition require immediate medical attention. If not treated on time, it can lead to permanent paralysis, impaired bladder and other neurological and physical problems.

Chiari Malformation: A structural defect in the Cerebellum

Chiari Malformation (CM) is a structural defect in the cerebellum, a part of the brain that controls balance. It develops where your skull and neck meets and affect the functions controlled by these areas. In simple words, it is a such a condition where the bony space or part of the skull  is too small that it causes brain tissue to settle in the spinal cord. It can also be caused due to genetic mutations or lack of nutrients in the maternal diet. Some people with CM have no symptoms at all, while others may experience dizziness, numbness, vision problems, headaches, weakness and problems in balancing. The recommended treatment depends on the severity of CM and as mentioned above that some cases are asymptomatic and do not disturb a person’s living or day-to-day activities. But for some, surgery is the only treatment left to correct functional disturbances.

Arachnoiditis: A Chronic Pain and Neurologic Problems

Arachnoiditis is a chronic pain and neurologic problems caused by the inflammation of the arachnoid lining (one of the three linings that surround the brain and spinal cord). Its symptoms, other than pain, include numbness in legs, irritation or strange sensation on skin, spasm, muscle cramps, sexual problems, etc. It can be caused by spinal trauma or a surgical procedure. In addition, to that, it can be chemically (medicines) or infection induced. Tests like CAT scan and MRIs can help diagnose the same. However, there is no cure for arachnoiditis but professionals recommend a program of pain management, psychotherapy, physiotherapy and exercise for the same. Never go for a surgery here, because the result can further complicate the scenario.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: A cause of Spine Joints Pain

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is another form of arthritis. In this, joints become fused and become unmovable causing inflammation in spine’s vertebrae and facet joints. The pain in this varies from person to person, some may experience the pain for longer period as compared to others. Generally, this problem does not require surgeries as physical therapies and medicines can serve the purpose.

Adult Scoliosis: An Abnormal Curvature of Spine

Adult scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine to either left or right. It can develop as an untreated childhood curvature or as an adult degenerative scoliosis. However, there’s no specific cause of its occurrence, but most often it happens due to asymmetric degeneration (wear and tear) of spinal elements.  

The commonest symptoms are back pain, difficulty in breathing or lungs functioning (in serious cases), trunk imbalance, deformity, problem while walking. Many patients dealing with the same don’t even require surgery. And can be treated with moist heat, medications, physical therapies and exercise. However, in severe cases, surgery is the only option left.