Learn to ease the discomfort.

Here is a surprising bit of health news: According to a recent report in the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource newsletter, degenerative disk disease is most common among people in their 30s, 40s and 50s – not the elderly.

    Small disks act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae in the spine. With age, the disks are more prone to trauma and tearing from twisting and turning, a fall or a blow to the back. When a tear occurs in the outer portion of the disk, adjacent nerve endings are irritated and sensitive to pain.

The pain worsens with longer periods of sitting, bending, twisting or lifting.

    For most people, the pain can be managed with conservative treatments like applying cold or heat, pain medication, physical therapy and lifestyle changes. Back-friendly measures include good posture; the use of proper lifting techniques, ergonomic furniture and supportive footwear; and weight loss.

    Surgical options include spinal fusion to permanently attach 2 or more vertebrae, or the replacement of the damaged disk with a prosthetic one.

    For more information, visit spine-health.com. H&O

    Kathy Sena is a freelance journalist specializing in women's health issues and a regular contributor.