You can take measures to prevent osteoporosis, and there are treatments available. Osteoporosis weakens bones and increases their susceptibility to sudden and unexpected fractures.
Because oestrogen prevents bone resorption, osteoporosis is most common in postmenopausal women, who are more susceptible to fractures, particularly coller fractures, fractures of the neck of the femur, and fractures at vertebral sites. Osteoporosis is reduced bone mass per unit bone volume, which results in reduced strength and increased risk of fracture, often with even a minor trauma.
SYMPTPOMS OF OSTEOPOROSIS
In the early stages of bone loss, there are typically no symptoms; however, once osteoporosis has weakened our bones, we may experience the following signs and symptoms:
- vertebral fracture or collapse resulting in back pain
- gradually losing height
- Stooped posture
- bone that fractures a lot more easily than is typical
CAUSES OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Bone mass increases as the body creates new bone more quickly than it destroys old bone in adolescence; this process slows down after the early 20s, and most people reach their peak bone mass by age 30. As people get older, bone mass is lost more quickly than it is gained.
Peak bone mass, which varies by ethnic group and is somewhat inherited, affects osteoporosis risk in part because it indicates how much bone one has “in the bank” as they age.
RISK FACTORS
Age, race, lifestyle decisions, and medical conditions and treatments are just a few of the variables that can make someone more likely to develop osteoporosis.
Unchangeable risks
There are some osteoporosis risk factors that you cannot change, such as:
- Sex-Osteoporosis affects women much more frequently than it does men.
- Age-Osteoporosis risk increases with aging.
- Asian or white, depending on race.
- Family history-Greater risk is associated with having an osteoporotic parent or sibling, particularly if one or both parents have experienced a hip fracture.
- Body frame size-Smaller men and women may have less bone mass to draw from as they age, which increases their risk of developing osteoporosis.
Hormone levels
People with excess or insufficient levels of particular hormones in their bodies are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Examples include:
Lowered levels of sex hormones have been linked to bone thinning, with menopausal women’s lower estrogen levels being one of the biggest risk factors for osteoporosis.
Age-related declines in testosterone levels in men are likely to hasten bone loss, as are prostate cancer treatments that lower testosterone in men and breast cancer therapies that lower estrogen in women.
Thyroid problems-Bone loss can result from taking too much thyroid hormone medication to treat an underactive thyroid or from an overactive thyroid if the thyroid is overactive.
Other glands-Additionally, hyperactive parathyroid and adrenal glands have been linked to osteoporosis.
Dietary factors
A higher risk of developing osteoporosis exists in those who:
- Low calcium intake-Low calcium intake increases the risk of fractures, early bone loss, and diminished bone density, all of which are factors in the development of osteoporosis.
- Eating disorders-Both men and women’s bones are weakened by severe food restriction and underweight status.
- Gastrointestinal surgery-The amount of surface area available to absorb nutrients, including calcium, is constrained by surgery to reduce the size of your stomach or to remove part of your intestine, which includes procedures for other gastrointestinal disorders and to help you lose weight.
Steroids and other medications
Osteoporosis has also been linked to the use of drugs to treat or prevent:
- Seizures
- Gastric reflux
- Cancer
- Transplant rejection
Medical conditions
People with specific medical conditions, such as:
- Celiac disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney or liver disease
- Cancer
- Lupus
- Multiple myeloma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Lifestyle choices
You run a higher risk of developing osteoporosis if you engage in certain bad habits.
- All weight-bearing exercise and activities that promote balance and good posture are beneficial for your bones, but walking, running, jumping, dancing, and weightlifting seem particularly helpful. **Sedentary lifestyle** People who spend a lot of time sitting have a higher risk of osteoporosis than do those who are more active.
- Your risk of osteoporosis increases if you regularly consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day.
- Tobacco use-Uncertainty surrounds the precise part that tobacco plays in osteoporosis, but it is known that smoking weakened bones.
COMPLICATION OF OSTEOPOROSIS
The most severe side effects of osteoporosis include bone fractures, especially those in the spine or hip, which can lead to disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year of the injury. Hip fractures are frequently brought on by falls and can cause disability.
The vertebrae, the bones that make up your spine, can weaken to the point of crumpling in some cases, even if you haven’t fallen, which can cause back pain, lost height, and a hunched forward posture.
PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Bone health must be maintained throughout life with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Protein :One of the components of bone is protein, but research on how much protein one consumes and bone density is contradictory.
Vegetarians and vegans can obtain sufficient amounts of protein in their diets if they consciously look for sources like soy, nuts, legumes, seeds, and dairy and eggs for vegetarians and vegans, respectively.
If you believe you’re not getting enough protein, ask your doctor if supplementation is an option. Older adults may consume less protein for a variety of reasons.
Body weight :Maintaining a healthy body weight is beneficial for bones just as it is for overall health because being underweight increases your risk of bone loss and fractures and being overweight increases your risk of fractures in your arm and wrist.
Calcium :1,000 milligrams of calcium per day are required for men and women between the ages of 18 and 50; this requirement rises to 1,200 milligrams per day for men and women between the ages of 50 and 70.
Calcium-rich foods include:
- Low-fat dairy products
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- bones in canned sardines or salmon
- Tofu is a product made from soy.
- Cereals with added calcium and orange juice
Although it is still unknown, some experts believe that too much calcium, especially in supplements, can increase the risk of heart disease. If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, you may want to consider taking calcium supplements.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (previously the Institute of Medicine) Division of Health and Medicine advises that adults over 50 should consume no more than 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day from food and supplements combined.
Vitamin D :People can get some of their vitamin D from sunlight, but this might not be the best source if you live in a high latitude, if you’re housebound, if you regularly use sunscreen, or if you avoid the sun due to the risk of skin cancer. Vitamin D improves your body’s ability to absorb calcium and improves bone health in other ways.
It is advised that adults between the ages of 51 and 70 consume 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily, and adults over the age of 70 consume 800 IU daily, either from food or supplements.
The majority of multivitamin products contain between 600 and 800 IU of vitamin D, and up to 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day is generally safe for most people. People without other sources of vitamin D and especially those with little sun exposure may need a supplement.
Exercise :Exercise will benefit your bones no matter when you begin, but you’ll reap the biggest rewards if you start regularly exercising when you’re young and keep exercising throughout your life. Exercise can help build strong bones and slow bone loss.
Combine weight-bearing, balance, and strength training exercises into your routine. Weight-bearing activities like walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, skipping rope, and impact-producing sports primarily affect your legs, hips, and lower spine. Balance activities like tai chi can lower your risk of falling, especially as you age.
While exercising in the water, on a bike, or on a machine like an elliptical trainer can give you a good cardiovascular workout, they don’t do anything to strengthen your bones.
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
Excellent treatment for osteoporosis for spinal curvature, CALCAREA PHOS is ideal for those osteoporosis patients who have a weak spine and soft bones that cause spinal curvature and are unable to support their bodies. It is also helpful for treating anaemia, which is present in osteoporosis patients who also have spinal curvature.
PHOSPHORUS-Helpful for osteoporosis with spine curvature. There is a burning sensation in the spine along with the curvature. Also helpful for pain and weakness in the spine.
Sulfur is useful for osteoporosis patients who experience spinal curvature and walk and sit with a hunched posture. When back pain is present, there is also a strong sensation of heat throughout the body, particularly in the soles of the feet.
Comments are closed.