Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.
In humans, the nucleus pulposus loses water and becomes more fibrous as we age, a process that begins after the second decade of life. This critical change explains what happens to the nucleus pulposus as we age, transforming its function and affecting the entire spinal column.
By age 40, most people have started to experience some form of disc degeneration, a precursor to many other spinal issues. This natural, albeit impactful, process highlights the importance of understanding **how does the spine change with age?** Answering this question is key to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle as you grow older.
By age 60, more than 90% of people will show some evidence of disc degeneration on an MRI. The short answer to "is degenerative disc disease normal with aging?" is yes, the underlying disc degeneration is a natural part of the aging process, but the disease-like symptoms of pain and nerve compression are not inevitable. Many people have disc degeneration without ever experiencing pain or mobility issues, while others develop significant symptoms that require medical attention.
