Osteoporosis is a common condition
where bones become weak, affecting both men and women, mainly as they grow
older. In OP bones are prone to fracture as they are weak and fragile. It is a
silent condition as it will not show any symptoms until a bone get fractured.
Osteoporosis particularly affects women after menopause and
in their later years, although some men are also affected.
About nine million Americans have
osteoporosis and an estimated 48 million have low bone density. This means that
nearly 60 percent of adults age 50 and older are at risk of breaking a bone and
should be concerned about their bone health
What
cause Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis results from a loss of bone mass (measured as
bone density) and from a change in bone
Risk
factors
- Age is the main risk factor for
osteoporosis. Bone becomes thin and weak as it get older.
- Dietary
calcium and vitamin D deficiencies are important factors in the risk for osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis
is more common in people who have a small, thin body frame and bone
structure.
- Excessive
alcohol consumption increases osteoporosis risk.
- Family
history of osteoporosis or an osteoporosis-related fracture in a parent or
sibling
- Women
who smoke particularly after menopause have a significantly greater risk
of spine and hip fractures than those who do not smoke. Men who smoke also
have lower bone density.
- Lack
of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Other causes for Osteoporosis
·
Low
level of sex hormone in women (estrogen). It happens mainly after menopause
·
Eating
disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia
·
Sedentary
lifestyle (inactivity)
·
Diseases
effecting bones
·
Endocrine
diseases like Hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's disease, etc
·
Certain medications
o
Corticosteroids
o
Medications
for lower thyroid functions
o
Heparin
(anticoagulant)
Know more about OSTEOARTHRITIS CAUSE SYMPTOMS EXERCISE & TREATMENT
Symptoms
of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is silent disease which may not show any
symptoms at all till one get a bone fractured from a mild fall.
Sometimes you may have symptoms like this
§ Back ache
§ Gradual loss of height with stooping
posture
§ Fracture of hip, spine or wrist
Osteoporosis will not cause any pain until you get a bone
fractured.
How
is osteoporosis diagnosed?
It is diagnosed by a simple test measuring bone mineral
density (BMD) of your bone
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (referred to as DXA or DEXA)
is the best current test to measure BMD.
DXA test results are scored compared with the BMD of young,
healthy people. This results in a measure called a T-score.
The scoring is as
follows:
DXA
T-score
|
Bone
mineral density (BMD)
|
Not lower than –1.0
|
Normal
|
Between –1.0 and –2.5
|
Osteopenia (mild BMD loss)
|
–2.5 or lower
|
Osteoporosis
|
The
risk of fracture most often is lower in people with osteopenia than those with
osteoporosis. But, if bone loss continues, the risk of fracture increases.
How
to prevent osteoporosis
- regular
exercise
Immobility can worsen your
osteoporosis. The aim of exercise in OP is to strengthen your muscles so that
the muscles can support your bones and joints.
Accumulate at least 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity physical activity daily, including weight-bearing exercise,
strength training (at least twice a week), and activities that improve balance
to help prevent falls.
- healthy
eating
Diet should be very rich in Vitamin D
and calcium.
Total daily calcium intake (diet plus
supplements) should add up to 1,300 mg for teenagers, 1,000 mg for adults 50
years of age or younger, or 1,200 mg for adults over the age of 50.
Sun exposure for 5-10 minutes on bare
skin, such as the arms and legs, 2-3 times weekly improves vitamin D status
with minimal risk of skin damage. Adults can increase their daily vitamin D
intake by taking a supplement that contains 400 IU, the amount in most
multivitamins. Older adults and those who avoid sun exposure should take extra
vitamin D for a total of 800 IU/day.
- lifestyle
changes such as
quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake
Homeopathy
for osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a kind of disease which is to be prevented.
Homeopathy can help you to prevent OP with adequate dietary supplements and
exercise.
The causative factor for the conditions should be identified
first. If it is secondary to any other things like drugs or endocrine diseases,
it should be treated homeopathically.
Homeopathy medicines are prescribed after a detailed
casetaking in mental physical and emotional planes. As homeopaths say they
treat man in disease not disease in man.
The most commonly prescribed medicines are as follows which
are not to be taken without a qualified homeopath’s advice.
Calcarea phosphoricum
Silica
Calcarea carbonica
Mercurius solubilis
Symphytum
Asafoetida
Calcarea fluoratum
Thuja occidentalis
Ruta graveolens Etc
Source:
www.rheumatology.org
www.nsh.uk
www.webmd.com
www.gobroomecounty.com
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