AT the carefree age of 11, young girls should not be embarrassed about, their appearance, and least of all be worried about a physically deforming condition called scoliosis.

In Asia, the incidence of scoliosis sufferers is close to 25% of the population, compared with 15% in the Western countries.

Scoliosis on the rise

Idiopathic scoliosis, where the cause of the condition is unknown, accounts for 80% of the most common cause.

Female sufferers outnumber males in a 9:1 ratio. Tall, thin girls are more prone to scoliosis.

There is no scientific evidence to show that carrying heavy school bags or having bad posture leads to the condition.

Idiopathic scoliosis has been proven to cause significant physical and emotional stress as it continues to progress well beyond skeletal maturity, and commonly for the remainder of the patient's life.

The physical complications of idiopathic scoliosis can be quite serious, ranging from spinal and limb pain, to organ stress and even heart-lung distress. Some of the other complications include headaches, chronic fatigue, digestive problems including constipation and diarrhoea, joint pain, difficulty sleeping, loss of concentration, and chronic muscle tightness and spasms.

The emotional effects of idiopathic scoliosis can be every bit as serious as the physical effects.

Juvenile patients with idiopathic scoliosis were unhappier with their lives. They reported more physical complaints, had lower self-esteem and higher depression levels. Adult patients reported more psychological and physical impairment.

Children with this condition often suffer from jokes and teasing by their classmates due to the deformity associated with idiopathic scoliosis.

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