Most cases of structural scoliosis, especially the mild ones, are not serious. However, severe cases of scoliosis can cause the spine to curve so much that the chest cavity is constricted. This can cause the rib cage to come into contact with the lungs or the heart, creating difficulty breathing or other damage to the heart and lungs. Because structural scoliosis can be treated to avoid these complications, it's important to see a doctor about scoliosis symptoms. Most cases of scoliosis in adults were actually present in the patient's childhood, but not diagnosed until adulthood; untreated scoliosis can lead to spinal arthritis in adults.
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