Your spine is made up of small bones placed on top of each other, called vertebrae. It also has a natural curve which allows you to move and bend. Your spine bends more than it should when you have Scoliosis. It creates a “C” or “S” shape.
The curve is usually mild and does not affect your appearance or health. Yet, over time, it can get worse. It can cause back pain and other health issues, as well ( Click here to learn more about back pain treatment in Singapore).
Kids or adults can be affected by Scoliosis. Some children are born with it. The cause is unclear much of the time. Adults are also able to get it later in life.
Here’s how to diagnose scoliosis symptoms in yourself or your child. See the doctor if you think you’ve got it.
Scoliosis Symptoms in Children
When a child is between 8 and 10 years old, this disorder usually occurs. As they develop, the symptoms could get worse.
Every scoliosis-positive child is different. Some have no signs. Others have those that are simple, like:
- There are two distinct heights on their shoulders.
- Their head, like the rest of their body, does not look focused.
- One hip is or sticks out higher than the other.
- They force their ribs out.
- When the child stands upright, they do not hang their arms directly next to their body.
- The two sides of her back are different in height as they lean over.
Such modifications to the body of your child will affect their self-esteem.
Scoliosis Symptoms in Adults
Some people have had this disorder since they were teenagers. The curves will expand over time.
There is another form of Scoliosis, which begins in adulthood. As you grow older, the bones and joints in your spine are weakened by wear and tear. The disks sitting between them are starting to break down. The disks lose height as this occurs and begin to tilt. This triggers the curve of the spine.
Sometimes, the first symptom of Scoliosis in adults is back pain. The pain may come from damage to the bone in the back—not from Scoliosis itself. It can place pressure on surrounding nerves as the spine curves and cause symptoms like fatigue and numbness.
Scoliosis causes signs like these in adults:
- Uneven hips or shoulders
- Bump from the lower back
- In the legs, numbness, fatigue, or pain
- Walking troubles
- The trouble with standing straight up
- Feeling tired
- Shortness of Respiration
- Height loss
- Bone spurs—bone bumps from the bone in the joints of the spine and joint injury
- Feeling complete when you feed quickly. This is because the pressure is exerted on your belly by your spine.
When to Call Your Doctor
Some schools test for Scoliosis regularly. During routine examinations, your child’s doctor should also monitor for it.
If you or your child have back pain, uneven shoulders or hips, or any other scoliosis signs, see your doctor. They can be challenging to tell apart from other disorders that affect the spine often. An exam will explain what’s causing the problems and discuss a potential treatment for Scoliosis.