What to Know about Scoliosis

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Photo credit: yahoo images Scoliosis is when the spine curves in any way that is not considered normal – from side to side. This usually happens for teenagers going through puberty, because the spine does not stay straight as they go through the large growth spurt. Because it can happen to anyone, everyone should know about the problem and know when they need to get a scoliosis genetic test. Scoliosis: The Basics There are a few different causes of scoliosis. One of the most common is the fact that it runs in families, so it has something to do with the DNA of people. This is important to know because if scoliosis runs in your family, you should watch yourself and your children to see whether there are any signs. It can also occur as a result of back injuries or infections in the spine itself. Some people experience scoliosis as a birth defect, so the symptoms will be seen at a much younger age. There are some signs and symptoms of scoliosis to keep an eye out for. One of the symptoms is when the shoulders are not even as the person is standing straight up. One shoulder blade may stick out farther than the other. Lastly, the person may have an uneven waist, or one side of the hip may be higher than the other. In the more severe cases, a person may experience one side of the ribs sticking out farther than the other. They will likely experience a lot of back pain and may even have trouble breathing easily. Getting Tested There are multiple ways to get tested for scoliosis. A doctor may just need to see the way you stand and bend to tell if your spine is crooked or not. You can also get a scoliosis genetic test if the problem has affected any family members. If you think you may have scoliosis or may be a high-risk patient, it is important to get tested to know whether you need to start treatment or not. Scoliosis will usually get worse over time if it is left alone, so it is best to take care of it right away.

Photo credit: yahoo images

Scoliosis is when the spine curves in any way that is not considered normal – from side to side. This usually happens for teenagers going through puberty, because the spine does not stay straight as they go through the large growth spurt. Because it can happen to anyone, everyone should know about the problem and know when they need to get a scoliosis genetic test.

Scoliosis: The Basics

There are a few different causes of scoliosis. One of the most common is the fact that it runs in families, so it has something to do with the DNA of people. This is important to know because if scoliosis runs in your family, you should watch yourself and your children to see whether there are any signs. It can also occur as a result of back injuries or infections in the spine itself. Some people experience scoliosis as a birth defect, so the symptoms will be seen at a much younger age.

There are some signs and symptoms of scoliosis to keep an eye out for. One of the symptoms is when the shoulders are not even as the person is standing straight up. One shoulder blade may stick out farther than the other. Lastly, the person may have an uneven waist, or one side of the hip may be higher than the other. In the more severe cases, a person may experience one side of the ribs sticking out farther than the other. They will likely experience a lot of back pain and may even have trouble breathing easily.

Getting Tested

There are multiple ways to get tested for scoliosis. A doctor may just need to see the way you stand and bend to tell if your spine is crooked or not. You can also get a scoliosis genetic test if the problem has affected any family members. If you think you may have scoliosis or may be a high-risk patient, it is important to get tested to know whether you need to start treatment or not. Scoliosis will usually get worse over time if it is left alone, so it is best to take care of it right away.