Is Scoliosis a Health Concern?

Scoliosis is the term that refers to an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. Many scoliosis patients learn that they have this condition in adolescence but may not get diagnosed until adulthood. Once you become aware that you or a loved one has scoliosis, it’s normal to question what this means for overall health and wellness going forward. Will your scoliosis cause health complications?

Board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Beejal Y. Amin diagnoses and treats scoliosis in new and existing patients from his Hinsdale and Woodridge, Illinois offices. In this blog, he walks you through what living with scoliosis means for your health, including common complications and associated health concerns you should be aware of.

Scoliosis: spinal curvature from side to side

A healthy spine curves in and out, keeping your body balanced and supported. Scoliosis refers to sideways or lateral curvature of the spine, either in a “C” or “S” shape. The curve can be mild or severe and can worsen over time.

In cases where mild curvature occurs, scoliosis may only affect you minimally. Back pain is a common symptom that can be hard to live with, even in mild scoliosis cases. But, if your spinal curvature is more dramatic, scoliosis can become a significant health concern.

Scoliosis doesn’t have to be disabling if you receive the correct diagnosis and care. However, without diagnosis and care, the impacts of this condition can become quite serious.

Health impacts of severe scoliosis

Scoliosis doesn’t only cause back pain. The deformity of severe scoliosis can negatively impact your mental health, lung and heart health, and even neurological health.

Spinal curvature shrinks the space available in your chest for your heart and lungs, cramping them and impeding full function, which causes breathlessness and low stamina and can limit your mobility. Pressure on your heart from chest compression means that your heart has to work harder to pump your blood, creating ongoing stress.

In addition to this long-term cardiovascular strain, scoliosis can even cause neurological issues with your nerves and their connection to your spine. Compressed nerves can be very painful, and nerve damage may be lasting.

You may also suffer from self-image issues, anxiety, or depression. Your mental health matters as a part of your life-long wellness, and scoliosis can impact you negatively in that way, as well as physically.

Stabilizing your health with scoliosis

Dr. Amin supports you in maintaining good health while living with scoliosis. Taking the correct steps to control mild scoliosis can prevent complications from arising later. With severe scoliosis, you may need intervention to keep you healthy and comfortable.

Conservative treatments for scoliosis include physical therapy, bracing, and spinal injections. Spine surgery may be necessary to preserve your long-term health in severe cases.

Detecting scoliosis early and continuing to be proactive with treatment, monitoring, and adjustments as needed helps you avoid the worst negative health impacts of this spinal deformity.

To learn more about protecting yourself from the health concerns associated with scoliosis, contact Beejal Y. Amin MD, online or over the phone, and schedule a consultation appointment today.