Kyphosis is a disorder of the spine, in which the upper spine is bent or curved backwards, causing the sufferer to have a stooped posture.
Mild kyphosis usually does not require treatment. However, if the condition is severe enough, kyphosis can be painful, requiring treatment by a doctor.
Causes of Kyphosis You Need to Know
Based on the cause, kyphosis can be divided into several types, namely:
Postural kyphosis
Postural kyphosis is the most common type of kyphosis in adolescents. This curvature of the upper spine is caused by the habit of bending over when sitting and standing.
Postural kyphosis is more common in girls than boys. However, this type of kyphosis is relatively mild and rarely causes pain. Postural kyphosis is also easily corrected by practicing proper sitting and standing.
Scheuermann's kyphosis
Scheuermann kyphosis is a type of kyphosis characterized by structural abnormalities of the spine. Patients with this type of kyphosis have a slightly rounded spine structure, so that their posture becomes bent.
Scheuermann kyphosis generally occurs in adolescence and is more common in boys than girls. This type of kyphosis can often cause back pain.
Congenital kyphosis
Congenital kyphosis or in medical terms is called congenital kyphosis is a spinal disorder that occurs since in the womb. Until now, the cause is unknown. Children with congenital kyphosis usually also have other birth defects, such as those in the heart or kidneys.
Congenital kyphosis requires immediate medical attention, because the condition is prone to worsening as the child develops.
Various Kyphosis Risk Factors
Increasing age is one of the factors that can trigger kyphosis. This is because with age, the risk of brittle bones or osteoporosis will increase.
In addition, there are also several medical conditions that can increase the risk of kyphosis, namely:
- Tuberculosis (TB), is a bacterial infection that can occur in almost any part of the body.
- Spina bifida, which is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and bone marrow do not form properly.
- Paget's disease, which is a disease that interferes with the process of bone formation, so that the bones become brittle.
- Neurofibromatosis, which is a tumor on nerve tissue. This condition is a genetic disorder.
- Muscular dystrophy or muscular dystrophy, which is a genetic disorder that causes muscles to progressively weaken.
- Injury to the spine.
Kyphosis can be caused by a variety of things and the risk of spinal deformity increases under certain conditions. Indeed, not all kyphosis is dangerous and requires a doctor's treatment, but if you feel complaints in the spine and posture abnormalities, you should consult a doctor.