Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition where the intervertebral discs—the cushions between the vertebrae—gradually lose height, hydration, and elasticity over time. In some cases, one side of a disc collapses more than the other, creating a wedge shape. This “wedging” alters spinal alignment and can increase stress on facet joints, ligaments, and nerves, leading to pain and stiffness TeachMeSurgeryWikipedia.
Anatomy of the Intervertebral Disc & Wedging
Structure & Location
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Annulus fibrosus: Tough outer ring of collagen fibers encasing the disc.
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Nucleus pulposus: Gelatinous core rich in water and proteoglycans, providing shock absorption.
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Located between each pair of vertebrae from C2–C3 down to L5–S1 OrthoNY.
“Origin” & “Insertion”
Unlike muscles, discs don’t have origins or insertions. Instead, they are held between vertebral endplates—thin layers of hyaline cartilage on the top and bottom of each vertebra Wikipedia.
Blood Supply
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Peripheral vessels penetrate the outer annulus; the inner annulus and nucleus are avascular, receiving nutrients by diffusion through the endplates PubMed Central.
Nerve Supply
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Outer annulus: Innervated by branches of the sinuvertebral nerves and gray rami communicantes.
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Nucleus pulposus: No direct nerve endings.
Key Functions
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Shock absorption during activities
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Load distribution across vertebral bodies
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Spinal flexibility in bending and twisting
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Height maintenance between vertebrae
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Protecting nerves by cushioning spinal canals
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Facilitating motion without bone-on-bone contact Physiopedia.
Types of Wedging
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Unilateral Disc Wedging: One side collapses more.
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Bilateral Wedging: Both sides collapse, but asymmetrically.
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Rotational Wedging: Disc tilts and twists.
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Progressive Wedging: Worsens over time with age and stress.
Causes
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Age-related degeneration Wikipedia
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Repetitive spinal loading (e.g., heavy lifting)
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Poor posture (prolonged slouching)
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Genetic predisposition (collagen mutations) Wikipedia
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Smoking (reduces disc nutrition)
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Obesity (increased axial load)
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Trauma (e.g., falls, motor vehicle accidents)
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Occupational hazards (vibration, kneeling)
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Sedentary lifestyle
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Dehydration of disc matrix
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Excessive flexion/extension
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Inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL-1, TNF-α) Wikipedia
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Metabolic disorders (diabetes)
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Vitamin D deficiency
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Hormonal changes (menopause) Wikipedia
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Infection (rarely)
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Micro-instability of spinal segments
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Facet joint arthritis (secondary changes)
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Previous spine surgery
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Autoimmune conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
Symptoms
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Localized back pain, worse on standing
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Pain on bending or twisting
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Stiffness after rest
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Radiating leg pain (sciatica)
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Numbness or tingling in extremities
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Muscle weakness in legs
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Loss of height over time
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Reduced spine flexibility
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Facet joint pain TeachMeSurgery
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Changes in gait
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Pain with coughing/sneezing
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Intermittent claudication (with spinal stenosis)
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Muscle spasms
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Difficulty standing upright
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Fatigue from pain
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Balance problems
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Loss of bladder/bowel control (rare, cauda equina syndrome)
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Angular deformity (visible wedging)
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Tenderness on palpation
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Worsening pain at night
Diagnostic Tests
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Plain X-ray (wedging, height loss)
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MRI (disc hydration, nerve compression)
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CT scan (bony changes)
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Discography (pain mapping)
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Dynamic (flexion/extension) X-rays
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Bone scan (activity)
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Electromyography (EMG)
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Nerve conduction studies
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Ultrasound (rare for facet joints)
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Height measurement (clinical)
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Provocative maneuvers (pain reproduction)
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Laboratory tests (rule out infection)
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Sedimentation rate (ESR)
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C-reactive protein (CRP)
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Genetic testing (in research)
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Quantitative MRI (T2 mapping)
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Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) (bone density)
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Gait analysis
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CT myelography
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Ultrasound-guided facet joint injection (diagnostic block)
Non-Pharmacological Treatments
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Physical therapy (strengthening & flexibility)
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Posture education
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Core stabilization exercises
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Aerobic conditioning (walking, swimming)
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Heat & cold therapy
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Manual therapy (mobilizations)
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Massage therapy
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Chiropractic adjustments
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Acupuncture
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Yoga Physiopedia
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Pilates
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Ergonomic modifications
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Weight loss programs
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Bracing (lumbar support)
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Electrical stimulation (TENS)
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Ultrasound therapy
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Traction therapy
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Water therapy
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Mindfulness meditation
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Cognitive behavioral therapy
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Biofeedback
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Dry needling
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Myofascial release
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Kinesiology taping
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Alexander technique
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Prolotherapy
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Low-level laser therapy
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Vibration therapy
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Lifestyle modification
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Smoking cessation
Drugs
| Drug | Class | Typical Dose | Timing | Major Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibuprofen | NSAID | 400–800 mg every 6 h | With meals | GI upset, renal impairment |
| Naproxen | NSAID | 250–500 mg twice daily | Morning/Evening | GI bleeding, edema |
| Diclofenac | NSAID | 50 mg three times daily | With food | Liver enzymes↑, GI discomfort |
| Celecoxib | COX-2 inhibitor | 100–200 mg daily | Once daily | Cardiovascular risk, renal issues |
| Acetaminophen | Analgesic | 500–1000 mg every 6 h | PRN | Liver toxicity (OD) |
| Tramadol | Opioid agonist | 50–100 mg every 4–6 h | PRN | Dizziness, nausea |
| Gabapentin | Antineuropathic | 300–1200 mg three times daily | Bedtime | Sedation, ataxia |
| Pregabalin | Antineuropathic | 150–300 mg daily | Divided | Weight gain, edema |
| Duloxetine | SNRI | 30–60 mg daily | Morning | Nausea, dry mouth |
| Amitriptyline | TCA | 10–50 mg at bedtime | Bedtime | Anticholinergic effects |
| Methocarbamol | Muscle relaxant | 1500 mg loading, then 750 mg every 6 h | PRN | Sedation, dizziness |
| Cyclobenzaprine | Muscle relaxant | 5–10 mg three times daily | PRN | Drowsiness, dry mouth |
| Tizanidine | Muscle relaxant | 2–4 mg every 6–8 h | PRN | Hypotension, dry mouth |
| Prednisone | Corticosteroid | 5–10 mg daily (short course) | Morning | Hyperglycemia, osteoporosis |
| Methylprednisolone | Corticosteroid | 4 mg every 6 h (short course) | Morning | Mood changes, fluid retention |
| Cyclophosphamide | Immunosuppressant | Off-label low dose regimens | Varies | Myelosuppression |
| Etanercept | TNF-α inhibitor | 50 mg weekly | Weekly | Infection risk |
| Infliximab | TNF-α inhibitor | 5 mg/kg at 0,2,6 wks, then q8 w | Infusion | Infusion reactions |
| Methotrexate | DMARD | 7.5–25 mg weekly | Weekly | Hepatotoxicity, stomatitis |
| Calcitonin | Hormonal agent | 200 IU daily | Once daily | Flushing, nausea |
(Dosages are typical adult ranges; adjust per patient factors.) MedscapeTeachMeSurgery
Dietary Supplements
| Supplement | Typical Dose | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glucosamine | 1500 mg daily | Cartilage support | Stimulates glycosaminoglycan synthesis |
| Chondroitin | 1200 mg daily | Cartilage health | Inhibits cartilage-degrading enzymes |
| MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) | 1000–2000 mg daily | Anti-inflammatory | Donates sulfur for connective tissue |
| Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | 1000 mg daily | Anti-inflammatory | Inhibits pro-inflammatory eicosanoids |
| Vitamin D3 | 1000–2000 IU daily | Bone & muscle health | Enhances calcium absorption |
| Calcium carbonate | 500 mg twice daily | Bone density | Provides calcium for bone mineralization |
| Collagen peptides | 10 g daily | Connective tissue support | Supplies amino acids for matrix repair |
| Curcumin | 500 mg twice daily | Anti-inflammatory | Inhibits NF-κB pathway |
| Boswellia serrata | 300 mg thrice daily | Anti-inflammatory | Inhibits 5-lipoxygenase |
| Quercetin | 500 mg daily | Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory | Scavenges free radicals |
Advanced Drug Categories ( Agents)
| Category | Drug | Typical Dose | Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bisphosphonates | Alendronate | 70 mg weekly | Inhibit bone resorption | Osteoclast apoptosis via FPPS inhibition |
| Zoledronic acid | 5 mg IV yearly | Inhibit bone resorption | Osteoclast inhibition | |
| Regenerative | BMP-2 | Implanted per protocol | Promote bone formation | Activates SMAD pathway for osteogenesis |
| PRP (platelet-rich plasma) | Injection q4–6 wks | Tissue healing | Growth factor release (PDGF, TGF-β) | |
| Viscosupplement | Hyaluronic acid | 2 mL injection weekly x3 | Joint lubrication | Increases synovial fluid viscosity |
| Sodium hyaluronate | 2 mL injection weekly x5 | Joint lubrication | Restores synovial matrix | |
| Stem Cell Drugs | Autologous MSCs | 1–2×10^6 cells injected | Disc regeneration | Differentiation into nucleus/annulus cells |
| Allogeneic MSCs | Dose per trial protocol | Disc tissue repair | Paracrine factor secretion |
Surgical Options
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Microdiscectomy (remove herniated nucleus)
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Laminectomy (decompress spinal canal)
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Foraminotomy (widen nerve exit)
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Spinal fusion (stabilize segments)
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Artificial disc replacement (maintain motion)
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Vertebroplasty (inject bone cement)
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Kyphoplasty (balloon tamp then cement)
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Minimally invasive tubular fusion
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Endoscopic discectomy
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Laser disc decompression
Prevention Strategies
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Maintain healthy weight
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Regular low-impact exercise
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Ergonomic workstations
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Proper lifting techniques
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Core strength training
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Quit smoking
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Adequate hydration
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Balanced diet rich in calcium & vitamin D
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Frequent posture breaks
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Use lumbar support cushions
When to See a Doctor
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Severe or worsening pain unrelieved by rest
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Neurological signs: weakness, numbness, bowel/bladder changes
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Fever or weight loss (possible infection/cancer)
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Pain after trauma
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Unremitting night pain
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is “degenerative disc disease” really a disease?
It describes normal age-related disc changes, not an active disease process Wikipedia. -
Why does wedging happen on one side?
Uneven loading, previous injury, or asymmetric degeneration cause one side to collapse faster. -
Can wedging reverse itself?
Natural regeneration is limited; most improvement comes from therapy, not disc regrowth. -
Will I lose height?
Disc height loss is gradual; most people lose 1–2 cm over decades. -
Does wedging always cause pain?
Many people with wedging are asymptomatic. -
Are X-rays enough for diagnosis?
X-rays show height loss; MRI is needed to assess disc hydration and nerve compression. -
Can exercise make it worse?
Improper technique can worsen it; guided, low-impact exercise helps. -
Is surgery inevitable?
Most cases respond to conservative care; less than 10% need surgery TeachMeSurgery. -
Do supplements help?
Supplements may support cartilage health but won’t reverse wedging. -
Is sitting bad?
Prolonged sitting increases load; take frequent breaks and use proper support. -
Can stem cells restore discs?
Experimental trials show promise, but it’s not yet standard care. -
Is fusion better than disc replacement?
Fusion stabilizes but removes motion; disc replacement preserves motion but has its own risks. -
How long does recovery take?
Conservative treatment: weeks to months; surgery: 3–6 months. -
Will wedging lead to spinal stenosis?
Yes, collapse can narrow foramina and canals, contributing to stenosis. -
How often should I be screened?
Imaging only as clinically indicated; routine annual MRIs are not necessary.
Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.
The article is written by Team Rxharun and reviewed by the Rx Editorial Board Members
Last Updated: May 06, 2025.
