The concept of osteoporosis has of late come to light with more and more people, especially women suffering from it particularly in their post-menopausal years. It has finally come to be defined and recognized as an acute degenerative bone condition which can lead to permanent disability as well.

Statistics show that nearly ten million people in the US have fallen prey to the disease and another eighteen million are already in the high risk zone. Nearly fifty per cent women and twenty five per cent men are prone to this debilitating condition. A person who has osteoporosis suffers from a porous bone condition which gives the bone a sponge like appearance and is easily compressible. This leads to multiple fractures either on their own or with minimum impact.

Causes:

– Osteoporosis is generally caused by the gradual drainage of phosphorus, calcium and other vital minerals that go into strengthening bones, particularly in post-menopausal women.

– The gradual calcium loss leads to bones becoming prematurely fragile and leads to fractures in the spine, hips and wrists mostly.

Symptoms:

– As such, osteoporosis is regarded as a “silent disease” as there are no apparent symptoms.

– It is only when the patient breaks a bone that the disease comes to light and is generally known to be caused by hormonal disorders or over consumption of corticosteroids.

– A visible symptom of osteoporosis is a stoop that the patient suddenly develops or a hump that suddenly shows on the spine. Another symptom is a sudden hip fracture that occurs without accident or impact.

Diagnosis:

– If you suspect that you are developing osteoporosis, consult your personal physician immediately.

– He will advise you to undergo X-rays or even a bone scan as also a bone densitometry test which will ascertain the degree of the disease if at all you are suffering from it.

– You will be quizzed on your daily diet and physical activities and whether you are a smoker and/or drinker or not.

– If your family has a history of osteoporosis or you are thin and small by physique, then also you are likely to develop it.

Treatment:

– The common treatment of osteoporosis is through the right combination of diet and exercise to strengthen your bones.

– You will be advised to increase your calcium intake substantially either by drinking milk or eating dairy products in large quantities or by way of calcium tablets on a regular basis.

– Your doctor will also advise heavy doses of Vitamin D as also biophosphonate-based drugs which are known to have bone strengthening properties.

– Another drug used is Calcitonin which decreases bone loss.

Prevention:

If you are over thirty five years of age or feel that you are approaching premature menopause, you should regularly undergo checkups to ascertain whether you are developing osteoporosis or are prone to it.

It is already established that both smoking and drinking aggravate osteoporosis and thus, you will be strongly advised to refrain from both in order to prevent the disease.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our Infection Control Training and Bloodborne Pathogen Training websites.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Vitamin D,X-rays ,hormonal disorders ,menopausal women,fragile,multiple fractures ,Osteoporosis