Symptoms Of Kyphoscoliosis

Reduced Appetite

Kyphoscoliosis can cause an individual to have a reduced appetite, or not want to eat very much. The hunchback curvature of the spine naturally places pressure on the torso as a whole. The ribcage and lungs get compressed, along with the stomach, intestines, and other abdominal organs. The increased pressure on the stomach can make eating food feel very uncomfortable. Individuals with kyphoscoliosis tend to only want to eat small amounts of food at a time because they feel full almost immediately. Additionally, the functions of the lungs and heart become progressively compromised as the spine continues to curve forward more and more. This makes the individual feel weak and tired because of oxygen shortage to the body's tissues. When an individual feels malaise, they usually do not have a healthy appetite. In addition, the compression of the lower abdominal organs can result in constipation and even bowel obstruction, which also results in an individual with a decreased appetite to avoid the pain that results from constipation.

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Breathing Troubles

While the rib cage is meant to give the lungs a proper and stable structure to sit in, it does not always function to its full capacity. The ribcage is also supported by the spine itself and when the spine is out of alignment, the ribcage will be as well. Usually, the rib cage becomes compressed in individuals who have kyphoscoliosis, and that results in the lungs being unable to fill up fully with oxygenated air. Some of the small air sacs in the lungs, or the alveoli, can be compressed, and less oxygen is able to be absorbed into the tiny blood capillaries in the walls of those air sacs. Less oxygen supply means the tissues of the body cannot carry out their processes normally. This results in a weakening of the cardiovascular, muscular, digestive, and pulmonary systems. An individual with kyphoscoliosis will often feel short of breath and unable to breathe deeply because their spinal abnormality will not allow normal expansion of the lungs and rib cage for the normal amount of oxygenated air to enter. This may result in coughing, deep breathing, exhaustion, and other breathing troubles. The arteries that supply the lungs themselves can also get compressed because of the spine's curvature, and that as well can cause the weakened function of the lungs.

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