About Osteoporosis

Janet asked:


Sinday - not a test question, and I haven’t googled it. I am thinking about Vit D absorption. If countries that are far away from the equator don’t get much direct sun, are people more prone to developing osteoporosis.
Ryan - wow, I’m speechless =0. Now, get back to studying.
oxo_07: Thanks for connecting, and would you please give me the source for your answer?
Also Ryan: I thought the proportion concern was betwen Magnesium & Calcium?

Eddie

Farzina Naznin asked:



Osteoporosis is a bone disease. It is virtually a disease on account of which the bones generally become fragile and weak. Osteoporosis if not taken proper care of lead may to the breakage of the bones thus leading to a fracture. Osteoporosis generally is found to be very much typical in certain parts of the body, say for instance in the hips, wrists, spinal cord and also in the vertebras. Osteoporosis is like a silent killer which attacks an individual without prior symptoms.
Simply a sneezing, a tight hug, stepping, bending down to get something can cause Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is also known by another name called “porous bone.” There are certain factors which are associated with Osteoporosis. These factors are termed as “Risk Factors.” Some of the factors are as mentioned below:
• Gender: Sex plays a major concern in the occurrence of Osteoporosis. Females have a more probability of being attacked with Osteoporosis than the male generation. Sometimes Osteoporosis is also related with menopause. Osteoporosis is estimated to have been attacking the women folk as and when they reach the stage of menopause. Thus when a woman reaches the age of around 45 years and when she is attacked with menopause that is when she experiences the stoppage of menstruation, the velocity of Osteoporosis is found to be more.
• Age: Age is yet another risk factor of Osteoporosis. The more a person advances in age, the more is the risk of being attacked with Osteoporosis. It is generally during the old age that the bones become very much weak and fragile and thus they are prone to get attacked with Osteoporosis.
• Body dimensions: Women with thin and lean body physique have more the chance of being attacked with Osteoporosis.
• Ethnicity: Ethnicity plays a major role in respect of Osteoporosis. Here we can state that Asian as well as the Caucasian women folk has a high risk of Osteoporosis then when compared to American, African and Latin women.
• Hereditary: Family history is also adversely related with Osteoporosis. Present generation whose fore-fathers suffered from Osteoporosis, has more risk of Osteoporosis.
Besides these, anorexia, certain medications, smoking of cigarette, excessive drinking of alcohol and also maintenance of a low lifetime diet with less amount of vitamin D and calcium also causes Osteoporosis.
As it is always said that prevention is better then cure, thus Osteoporosis can also be prevented by undertaking certain precautions in the early stage of one’s development. As the demand of calcium is found to be very high in the growing stage of one’s development, thus a good amount of calcium products should be undertaken from the early developmental stages. Inadequacy of calcium in one’s body has a greater prospect to be affected by Osteoporosis. So it is always advisable to undertake certain calcium products in one’s diet like yogurt, milk, cheese, ice cream, green and leafy vegetables, like broccoli, spinach etc, fish like salmon and sardines, dry fruits like almonds, juices and squash etc. Thus according to the different stages of one’s development right from the stage of infancy to old age, the intake of calcium should be adjusted accordingly in order to prevent Osteoporosis.

Jane

Jeff Foster asked:


Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is a loss of density in the skeletal system.

One of the earliest symptoms of osteoporosis that you might see are unexplained bone fractures. Oftentimes with fractures such as these it seems that the injury does not match the extent of the fracture.

With osteoporosis, the bones become porous losing calcium, proteins and collagen. As the bones become more porous there is a much higher risk for fracture, particularly fractures related to a minor injury.

In fact, osteoporosis can result in fractures from the most simple of task. Often patients may not even be aware that they are suffering from osteoporosis symptoms until they experience a fracture. At that time medical tests can certainly began to tell the story.

Osteoporosis symptoms may also be quickly identified when a fracture occurs during the course of normal daily activities. A fracture for which there is no obvious explanation.

Now these fractures should certainly be suspicious.

The fractures located in the spine can cause severe back pain that radiates around from big back to the sides.

Often times compression fractures off the back are easily related to osteoporosis symptoms and are often discovered during treatment for back pain.

Those suffering from osteoporosis may also experience a loss of height or even a curvature of the spine which creates the hunched back appearance.

Osteoporosis symptoms may also be identified when a hip fracture occurs as a result of a fall.

Again, fractures occur as a result of a very minor fall. The fall does not match the extent of the fracture. This should be investigated for the possible diagnosis of osteoporosis. Hip fractures are often very difficult to heal because of the location of the fracture as well as the poor bone quality.

Osteoporosis symptoms can be easily identify particularly if you take the time to sit down with your health care provider and explained the whole story.

When your health care provider takes the time to review your medical chart and begins to put the pieces of the puzzle together then the osteoporosis symptoms will begin to make sense.

It is important that you receive an early diagnosis of osteoporosis so that aggressive treatment can be a part of your life to prevent further disability.

Emily

Kyra Z asked:


I also do pilates twice a week, but I’m in danger of suffering osteoporosis in the future. My mother has it, I have a thin frame and don’t drink too mucho milk because I can’t tollerate it.

Tamara

Dr. Sandeep Madaan asked:


What is Osteoporosis?

The term Osteoporosis comprises of two words osteo meaning bone and porosis- porous/fragile/weak. It may be defined as a skeletal disorder affecting the bone strength and predisposing it to increased risk of fracture.

In this disorder there is structural degeneration of the bone tissue leading to low bone mass, fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures.

Bony skeleton is like a strong framework for the human body with which various organs and tissues are suspended. The two basic components of bone are collagen protein which forms a soft network and calcium phosphate which imparts strength and hardness to the bone. There is a homeostasis in our bones regarding continuous degeneration of old bone cells with simultaneous building of new ones. Up to the age of 30 the balance between bone degeneration and repair is almost equal and after that amount of bone loss supercedes the bone gain and osteoporosis sets in.

Who is affected by this disorder?

Although Osteoporosis affects all ages and population but the Post Menopausal women are more vulnerable to it. At present 8.2 million people are affected in India and the figures are epidemically growing. One out of every two women and one in eight men over the age of 50 are suffering from it.

What are the Causes/Risk factors?

There are a lot of triggers /risk factors for Osteoporosis as:

§ Advanced age and post menopausal syndrome: women falling under this condition have altered hormone levels particularly estrogen which in turn leads to Osteoporosis

§ Family history of Osteoporosis

§ Irrational and overuse of Steroids (Like in Asthma, Arthritis etc), thyroid hormones and anti epilepsy(fits )drugs

§ Smoking/alcohol/high intake of junk food/cola

§ Thin boned and small farmed Asian women are at higher risk.

§ Indolent life style-no exercise attitude

§ Dietary Deficiency of Calcium and other vitamins & trace elements

How could I know, I have Osteoporosis?

In most of the cases the disease is silent killer-a symptom less disorder. a person may feel fit today but may get fractured tomorrow.

§ The coexisting symptoms are pain in neck/lumbar region i.e. low back ache

§ Deformity of curvature in spine

§ Recurrent fractures (Non traumatic)

§ Loss of height due to deformity in spine, stooping any

What are the laboratory investigations available?

Routine X-Ray can detect the loss in bony mass only when the disease has progressed in advanced stage.

Bone densitometry mainly DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) is highly effective measure to detect the disorder. It measures the bone mass at hip and spine where Osteoporosis occurs in early stage.

It is very fast painless and accurate test which detects two energy levels and the differences are noted by the computer. The patient under the treatment for Osteoporosis is advised to go through this test yearly to check the progress of the treatment. Moreover this test also measures total fat and lean tissue in body to check the progress of treatment in obese patients.

What does Ayurveda says about Osteoporosis?

Ayurveda which is based upon the concept of Vaat, Pitta and Kapha humors of human body is a holistic therapy. It has enunciated the disease Osteoporosis by name of Asthikshya. Asthi means bone and kshya is loss. According to Ayurveda this disorder is caused by the vitiated Vaata humor and the symptoms are pain in bones, weak nails and teeth, dryness in body, excessive fall of hair, chronic fatigue without any labour and loose joints.

A detailed description of various herbs and formulations which pacify vitiated Vaata and are rich source of Calcium are discussed below.

What are the Preventive measures?

Here are some suggestions:

§ Live an active life style. Exercise daily

§ Running brisk walking, swimming, tennis, cycling, dancing and other weight bearing exercises should be practiced

§ The daily intake of calcium for an adult woman is 1000 mg. So, take adequate quantities of milk, cheese, green leafy vegetables, wheat, maize orange in your diet.

§ Vitamin D which is synthesized in our body through exposure to sun light so, bask for one hour /day

§ Do not overindulge in mental tension

§ Avoid junk food, particularly cola. Refrain from smoking, alcohol etc.

§ Yearly check up for Bone Mass Density is must over 45 years age

§ If you are already suffering from Osteoporosis take good care of your routine activities to prevent the fractures. Use flat slippers avoid high healed shoes avoid slippery floors in bathroom.

In a recent study USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Aging, Tufts University they found that in women drinking cola was associated with lower bone mineral density at all three hip sites regardless of age, menopaus

Lucy

vegetarian chick asked:


i remember reading about that somewhere, but i forgot the explanation for it.

Corey

Rubyee2 asked:


What exercise can I do to wittle the waist and flatten the stomach. I have osteoporosis and don’t want to fracture any verterbras.

Cory

Steven Jones asked:


Osteoporosis and Osteoporosis Treatment

Osteoporosis, “porous bones”, is a disease that causes bones to become fragile and brittle and very susceptible to fractures. These fractures occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. A fracture or broken bone can have a huge affect on your life, causing disability, pain, or loss of independence. Fractures can make it very difficult to do daily activities without help.

In the past osteoporosis was thought of as a women’s disease. Now we know that men also have to worry about weak bones and are at risk of osteoporosis. In fact, one in four men over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture caused by osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Diagnosis

The best method to diagnose osteoporosis is a bone mineral density test, called a DEXA test. It is recommended to get a bone density test if you’re a woman aged 65 or older or if you are 60 years old and at increased risk of osteoporosis. The results of your bone density test will give you a T-score. The T-score compares your bone density with that of an average healthy young adult of the same sex.

What is The Best Osteoporosis Treatment?

It is never too late, or too early to treat or prevent osteoporosis. Building strong bones when you are young is the best defense against getting osteoporosis later on in life. To improve your bone health, try the following advice:

1. Calcium

The best way to treat and prevent osteoporosis is to get adequate amounts of calcium along with magnesium, trace minerals, vitamins D3 and vitamin K2 in your diet. Osteoporosis is not only due to insufficient calcium intake but rather because we do not get sufficient amounts of bone building nutrients in our diet.

It is best to get as much calcium from foods in your diet as possible, and then make up the shortfall using a calcium supplement with the proper bone building ingredients included in the formula.

2. Vitamin D

To help your body absorb calcium It is also important to get enough vitamin D. You can get vitamin D through sunlight and foods. You need 10-15 minutes of sunlight to the hands, arms, and face, two to three times a week to get enough vitamin D. Recent studies show you need much more vitamin D than was previously recommended.

3. Magnesium

Magnesium and calcium work together to keep calcium in your bones and out of your soft tissues. It is always best to get minerals from your diet by eating legumes, and vegetables (especially dark-green, leafy vegetables with chlorophyll).

4. Vitamin K2

There are many recent studies finding vitamin K2 to be very important for healthy bones. Vitamin K is not made naturally by the body so it must come from your diet.

5. Exercise

Weight-bearing exercise, which is any activity in which your body works against gravity helps your bones in many ways. Exercise slows bone loss, improves muscle strength and helps limit bone-damaging falls. Walking, dancing, running, climbing stairs, gardening, doing yoga, tai chi, hiking, playing tennis, or lifting weights will all help with treating and preventing osteoporosis.

Natalie

Janet Martin asked:


Here’s bad news for women with osteoporosis who are being treated. Not all anti-osteoporosis drugs are safe and effective. Some of them have serious side effects that are bad as the disease itself.

While early drug therapy can prevent complications like fractures of the hip, spine and wrist, medical experts warn that some therapies remain controversial and require further study.

Osteoporosis or porous bones affects 200 million people worldwide and more than 30 million women in the United States and Europe. At risk are white and Asian women who lose the female sex hormone estrogen rapidly following the onset of menopause.

This causes the bones to become brittle and thin, making them more susceptible to crippling and life-threatening fractures of the hip, spine and wrist. These fractures can be triggered by sneezing, lifting a heavy object or bending. Because it is a silent disease without any symptoms, osteoporosis is often undetected until irreversible damage to the skeleton occurs.

What are some of the drugs used to prevent or treat osteoporosis? Here are the more common ones and their side effects:

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or estrogen replacement therapy is usually prescribed to women immediately after menopause to alleviate the discomfort associated with decreasing estrogen levels. Extended use of estrogen that is given by means of pills or a skin patch, reduces osteoporotic fractures by 50 percent or more. But there’s a catch: To benefit from HRT, you must take it for at least seven years. If you stop taking hormones before the age of 70, the bones start thinning immediately and fast.

In those who have heart disease, hormones may trigger a heart attack. In some, they can make the breasts swell and feel uncomfortable. Evidence from dozen of studies also suggest that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer.

Another drug is calcitonin that is available as an injection or nasal spray. This is a chemical produced by the thyroid gland that decreases bone loss and may control the pain of fractures. Some studies show that long-term treatment with nasal calcitonin may prevent further bone loss in the spine. However, calcitonin may lose its effectiveness after long-term use. Another drawback is its price. Treatment can be costly and cause nausea.

Bisphosphonates are drugs that have been used for years to treat bone diseases. They prevent bone loss and increase bone mass at the spine and hip. While they have few side effects, they become less effective over time.

A safe and inexpensive way to prevent osteoporosis is to take calcium-rich foods. Many published studies show that low calcium intakes are associated with low bone mass, rapid bone loss, and high fracture rates. This can be corrected by consuming milk and other dairy products, high-calcium orange juice, vegetables, sardines, tofu, and yogurt. For those who can’t get enough calcium in their diet, calcium supplements are advised, especially for pregnant and lactating mothers as well as postmenopausal women.

To strengthen bones, embark on a regular exercise program. Weight-bearing exercises are beneficial and can help prevent osteoporosis. To keep you in shape, take Phenocal – a safe and natural weight loss supplement that will boost your metabolism, suppress your appetite, increase energy levels, and help you lose unwanted pounds. For more information, visit http://www.phenocal.com.

Kathy