“Obesity” is a troublesome problem for people of all genders and ages who cannot resist the tempting smell of food, snacks, and sweets. But if we keep indulging like this, it is guaranteed that there is a risk of developing “degenerative disc disease.”
Not just losing appearance, but various diseases follow closely
Being overweight or obese not only affects appearance but also increases the chances of developing many diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cerebral artery stenosis, risk of stroke, paralysis, weakness in arms and legs, and also increases the incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure by 2-10 times compared to normal people. Excess weight also causes the body to bear too much load, leading to back pain. Importantly, it also increases the risk of developing “degenerative disc disease.”
“Degenerative disc disease” can occur even if you are not obese
Of course, people who are overweight have a higher risk of degenerative disc disease, but that does not mean that people with normal weight are 100% safe from this disease. If you are someone who sits working in front of a computer for long hours, lifts heavy objects, walks, stands, or sits in the wrong posture, plays intense sports, never exercises, or even as you age, you are also at risk of developing nerve-compressing degenerative disc disease.
Even Big Size can have minimally invasive surgery!
Excess body weight may come with thicker fat layers than normal people, causing surgeons to make larger incisions, take longer surgery time, and patients recover slowly. However, now Dr. Teerachai Phanitpong, a specialist in brain and spine surgery, has introduced minimally invasive spine surgery technology for patients weighing over 100 kilograms. The surgeon performs spinal surgery using small cameras such as endoscopes or microscopes, which helps overweight patients receive safe treatment, recover quickly, experience less pain, and have surgical wounds only 2-3 centimeters in size. It also reduces various risks because surgery with camera assistance allows the surgeon to see details more clearly than surgery done with the naked eye.
Postoperative care.. Prevent recurrence
Besides eating properly to “lose weight,” patients should follow rehabilitation as advised by doctors, including appropriate exercise to strengthen muscles, adjusting daily postures to reduce the risk of rapid degenerative disc disease.
At Phyathai 3 Hospital, we have a team of specialists and modern equipment ready to provide services so patients can return to normal life. For more information, please contact the Brain and Spine Center on the 2nd floor.
Dr. Teerachai Phanitpong
Neurosurgeon, Brain and Spine Center
Phyathai 3 Hospital
