What are Degenerative Conditions?

Degenerative conditions are conditions where the structure or function of tissues and organs deteriorates over time, often due to aging or environmental factors. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are some of the most well-known. These conditions primarily affect the brain and nervous system, leading to progressive loss of cognitive function, motor control, and in some cases, mobility.

Musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and Paget’s disease of bone also fall under the category of degenerative diseases, with effects ranging from joint pain and stiffness to bone weakening and deformities. Additionally, degenerative conditions such as degenerative disc disease, and spinal muscular atrophy affect the bones, muscles, and nervous system.

Metabolic and endocrine conditions like Type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism are also degenerative in nature, impacting various organ systems and leading to long-term damage if left untreated. Liver and kidney degenerative diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), result in compromised organ function and can progress to organ failure.

Skin conditions like actinic keratosis, eczema, psoriasis result in chronic skin changes, often exacerbated by environmental factors such as sun exposure.

Respiratory degenerative diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis impair lung function, causing breathing difficulties and reduced quality of life.

In addition to these, neurological and cognitive decline can occur in conditions such as Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which progressively affect memory, behavior, and motor skills.

Other degenerative conditions include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and Sjögren’s syndrome, which cause chronic pain, fatigue, and immune system dysfunction. These diseases, regardless of their specific focus, all involve progressive deterioration and significantly impact the affected individuals’ quality of life.

Autoimmune Conditions are degenerative diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, perceiving them as foreign or harmful. These diseases can affect various organs and systems, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Some common autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain and swelling; lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus), which can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and other organs; multiple sclerosis (MS), where the immune system damages the protective covering of nerve fibers, leading to neurological symptoms; and type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Other autoimmune disorders include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease both affect the thyroid gland, leading to either an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin, causing red, scaly patches, while celiac disease results from the immune system attacking the small intestine when gluten is consumed.

Additionally, conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, which targets moisture-producing glands, causing dry eyes and mouth; myasthenia gravis, which impairs nerve-muscle communication leading to weakness; and ankylosing spondylitis, which primarily affects the spine and causes inflammation, are also autoimmune disorders. These diseases can vary in severity and may lead to chronic symptoms or flare-ups. In some cases, autoimmune diseases are linked to other conditions, such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, as inflammation from the immune response can affect multiple organs.