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Degenerative Disc Disease is a term used to describe a deterioration of the cushion-like discs located between the vertebrae of the spine. While it is normal for spinal discs to deteriorate over time, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) can occur at any age, especially in individuals who have done a lot of heavy lifting, are obese, or smoke. Of course, a bad fall or accident of some kind can cause the onset of this disease at any time as well. One of the reasons Degenerative Disc Disease develops is because as the body ages the spinal discs tend to carry less of the fluid needed to keep them moist and supple. As a result of this fluid loss, they lose quite a bit of their shock-absorbing properties, leaving the spinal column more vulnerable to injury. In addition, the outer casing of the discs tends to thin and crack with age, causing them to bulge or rupture as the soft material inside them is released. Degenerative Disc Disease can develop anywhere along the spine, but most commonly occurs at the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) regions. In some individuals with this condition, there is little pain, or at least the pain is manageable. However, in others the pain can be quite excruciating, as this disorder can cause osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spine that puts pressure on the spinal chord), and bulging or herniated discs. Chronic back or neck pain are the most common symptoms of degenerative disc disease, but pain radiating out to the arms, chest, buttocks, etc., is also possible—it depends on where the injured disc is located on the spine. Symptoms usually worsen over time, and any motion involving bending, lifting, or twisting the back is typically quite painful. Also, depending on how much pressure is put on the spinal column by the injured disc, there could be significant deterioration in nervous function, resulting in tingling, numbness, impaired reflexes, and even difficulty walking. 
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