Liver blood tests are some of the most commonly performed blood tests. These tests can be used to assess liver functions or liver injury. An initial step in detecting liver damage is a simple blood test to determine the level of certain liver enzymes (proteins) in the blood.
1 Degeneration (deterioration) of the disc makes the disc more susceptible to herniation (rupture), which can lead to localized or radiating pain. 2  Sciatica can result from disc herniation ( ruptured disc ) when nerves in the low back are irritated.
Cause and Effect. The causes and effects of degenerative disc disease are relatively straightforward: You age, your discs change, your bones can be affected, and you can develop pain. It even helps to think of DDD as a cause and effect process or cascade: One anatomical change occurs, which leads to more degeneration and changes in your spine's structures.