Most people are screened for scoliosis in childhood. These screenings are usually done at school or during regular physicals. However, there are people who fall through the cracks. They may have mild scoliosis that is not detected by the standard tests done at schools, or perhaps they attended a school district where this testing was not mandatory. These people sometimes do not realize they have scoliosis until they reach adulthood. So, what are the signs that you, as an adult, are suffering from undiagnosed scoliosis?
Uneven shoulders
When you stand straight up with your shoulders back, does one shoulder seem to sit higher than the other? Sometimes, this is just due to uneven muscling, which may be the case if you participate in a sport that requires you to use one arm more than the other (like baseball). Other times, the difference may be due to a curve in the spine, or scoliosis.
Trouble standing up straight
Do you feel like you are always tilting to the side when standing, no matter what you do? Others may ask why you are not standing straight up. You might try to correct it but find yourself unable to hold the corrected position for more than a few minutes. This is often due to scoliosis, which causes your back to tilt in one direction.
Trouble catching your breath or breathing deeply
As you grow older, scoliosis that was barely detectable in childhood can sometimes worsen, which may lead to trouble breathing deeply. You may struggle to catch your breath or feel like you have to sit in a certain position to inhale fully. This is because the curvature of your spine might be pressing on one of your lungs. Failure to catch your breath may be accompanied by feelings of tiredness and exhaustion.
Loss of height
There are a few reasons why someone might lose height as they age. One could be microfractures in the spine, leading to compression of the spine. This is common in patients with osteoporosis. Another possible reason you may be getting shorter is scoliosis. The more your spine curves, the more height you lose.
If you are an adult who is noticing any of the above signs of scoliosis, talk to your doctor. He or she can conduct some easy tests to confirm whether you do, in fact, have a sideways curvature in your spine, and then recommend a treatment protocol for you.
To learn more, contact a professional like C D Denison today.
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