Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain, and is not found until bones fracture. You can take steps to prevent this disease, and treatments do exist.
Osteoporosis is reduced bone mass per unit bone volume.This leads to reduced strength and increased risk of fracture, often with even a minor trauma. Bone mass decreases with increasing age . Osteoporosis is most common in post menopausal women as oestrogen prevents bone resorption. This group is more prone to fractures especially coller fracture, fracture of the neck of the femur and at vertebral sites.
There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once our bones have been weakened by osteoporosis,one might have signs and symptoms that include:
Bones are in a constant state of renewal ,new bone is made and old bone is broken down. In young age,body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone and the bone mass increases. After the early 20s this process slows, and most people reach their peak bone mass by age 30. As people age, bone mass is lost faster than it Is created.
Osteoporosis depends partly on how much bone mass attained in youth. Peak bone mass is somewhat inherited and varies also by ethnic group. The higher peak bone mass, the more bone one have "in the bank" and the less likely one are to develop osteoporosis as age.
A number of factors can increase the likelihood that one will develop osteoporosis including our age, race, lifestyle choices and medical conditions and treatments.
Some risk factors for osteoporosis are out of your control, including:
Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too little of certain hormones in their bodies. Examples include:
Sex hormones-Lowered sex hormone levels tend to weaken bone. The reduction of estrogen levels in women at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors for developing osteoporosis.
Men have a gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they age. Treatments for prostate cancer that reduce testosterone levels in men and treatments for breast cancer that reduce estrogen levels in women are likely to accelerate bone loss.
Osteoporosis is more likely to occur in people who have:
Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and cortisone, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process. Osteoporosis has also been associated with medications used to combat or prevent:
The risk of osteoporosis is higher in people who have certain medical problems, including:
Some bad habits can increase your risk of osteoporosis. Examples include:
Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.
In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven't fallen. The bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) can weaken to the point of crumpling, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched forward posture.
Good nutrition and regular exercise are essential for keeping bones healthy throughout the life.
Protein : Protein is one of the building blocks of bone. However, there's conflicting evidence about the impact of protein intake on bone density.
Most people get plenty of protein in their diets, but some do not. Vegetarians and vegans can get enough protein in the diet if they intentionally seek suitable sources, such as soy, nuts, legumes, seeds for vegans and vegetarians, and dairy and eggs for vegetarians.
Older adults might eat less protein for various reasons. If you think you're not getting enough protein, ask your doctor if supplementation is an option.
Body weight : Being underweight increases the chance of bone loss and fractures. Excess weight is now known to increase the risk of fractures in your arm and wrist. As such, maintaining an appropriate body weight is good for bones just as it is for health in general.
Calcium : Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This daily amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70.
Good sources of calcium include:
If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, consider taking calcium supplements. However, too much calcium has been linked to kidney stones. Although yet unclear, some experts suggest that too much calcium especially in supplements can increase the risk of heart disease.
The Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) recommends that total calcium intake, from supplements and diet combined, should be no more than 2,000 milligrams daily for people older than 50.
Vitamin D : Vitamin D improves your body's ability to absorb calcium and improves bone health in other ways. People can get some of their vitamin D from sunlight, but this might not be a good source if you live in a high latitude, if you're housebound, or if you regularly use sunscreen or avoid the sun because of the risk of skin cancer.
To get enough vitamin D to maintain bone health, it's recommended that adults ages 51 to 70 get 600 international units (IU) and 800 IU a day after age 70 through food or supplements.
People without other sources of vitamin D and especially with limited sun exposure might need a supplement. Most multivitamin products contain between 600 and 800 IU of vitamin D. Up to 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day is safe for most people.
Exercise : Exercise can help build strong bones and slow bone loss. Exercise will benefit your bones no matter when you start, but you'll gain the most benefits if you start exercising regularly when you're young and continue to exercise throughout the life.
Combine strength training exercises with weight-bearing and balance exercises. Strength training helps strengthen muscles and bones in your arms and upper spine. Weight-bearing exercises — such as walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, skipping rope, skiing and impact-producing sports — affect mainly the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine. Balance exercises such as tai chi can reduce your risk of falling especially as you get older.
Swimming, cycling and exercising on machines such as elliptical trainers can provide a good cardiovascular workout, but they don't improve bone health.
CALCAREA PHOS-Excellent medicine for osteoporosis for curvature of spine. Suited to those patients of osteoporosis who have weak spine and soft bones which lead to curvature of spine who are unable to support their body.Useful anaemia which is present alongwith curvature of spine in osteoporosis patients.
PHOSPHORUS-Useful for osteoporosis with curvature of spine.There is burning sensation in spine along with curvature.Also useful for pain and weakness of spine. There is intense pain in the spine as if the spine was broken.
SULPHUR-Useful for osteoporosis who develop curvature of spine and walk and sit in a stooping position. Useful for curvature of spine when associated with backache.There is excessive heat sensation in the body especially soles of feet along with pain and curvature of spine.
RL-35 : FOR JOINT, MUSCLE AND NERVE PAIN
ABHI HOMEO HALL is a one and half decade old renowned clinic that offers the best quality, non-toxic and highly effective treatment in Ranchi, Patna and Delhi.
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