Degenerative Arthritis:
The wearing away of cartilage that protects and cushions joints including those in the spine, hands and feet (see Osteoarthritis).
Degenerative Disc Disease:
A general term applied to degeneration of the lumbar spinal discs which serve as cushions between the spinal vertebrae, resulting in a narrowing of the disc space.
Diabetes Mellitus:
A disease that occurs when the body is not able to use blood glucose (sugar). Blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin, a hormone in the body that helps move glucose (sugar) from the blood to muscles and other tissues. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not respond to the insulin that is made.
Disc Annulus:
The outer lining of a disk (see Annulus Fibrosis).
Disc Nucleus:
The inner core of a disk (see Nucleus Pulposus).
Discectomy:
Surgical removal of part or the entire herniated intervertebral disc.
Diet:
What a person eats and drinks. Any type of eating plan.