What Is Scoliosis? 

Scoliosis is a disorder that leads to an abnormal curve of the spine. There is a normal curve to the spine or backbone (as it is commonly known) when looked at from the side. However, it should appear straight when looked at from the front. Kyphosis is the term that is used to refer to the curve in the spine in which the spine is bent forward when seen from the side. Lordosis is the term used to refer to the curve in the spine in which it is bent backward when seen from the side. There is normal lordosis in the upper spine and lower spine. 

However, people who are suffering from scoliosis will develop extra curves in the spine to the sides. In the case of scoliosis, the bones in the spine will twist on each other forming an S or C-shaped curve. This problem is twice as common in women and girls. It can be considered a hereditary problem, and people suffering from scoliosis will be more likely to have children with the same problem.

Causes Of Scoliosis 

As per the medical professionals of an affordable health clinic, scoliosis affects 2% of females and 0.5% of males. In most cases, the effect of the complication is unperceived. This variant of scoliosis will be described based on the age when the problem develops. For instance, if the person suffering from scoliosis is less than 3 years old, then it will be called infantile idiopathic scoliosis. If it develops in a person between the age of 3 and 10, then it will be called juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. If the person is above the age of 10, then it will be called adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

More than eighty percent of the people suffering from scoliosis have idiopathic scoliosis and the majority of those will be adolescent girls. Besides, the most common location of scoliosis will be the thoracic spine.

Risk Factors 

Age is a risk factor for scoliosis, as the symptoms of the problem often start between the ages of 9 and 15 years. Moreover, being female increases the risks of the condition and the risk of worsening the curvature is more in females than males. Even though many people who develop the condition do not have a family member who is suffering from the problem, family history can increase the risk of scoliosis. If anyone in your family is suffering from scoliosis, get in touch with affordable low-income pediatric clinics in your area to ensure that you do not have the problem.