About Osteoporosis

My Answers Suck asked:


I eat a lot of protein cause I lift weigts & am trying to gain weight & someone on this site told me that, Ive never heard it before but was wondering if there is any truth to that.

Katherine

student 123abc asked:


My paternal grandmother and mother both seem to have osteoporosis because they have major lower back issues. I’m only 18, but I’ve been having lower back pains too. I thought it was because I danced too much and over-worked my hips and back (hip-hop, salsa, krump, etc.), but now I see I run the risk of having osteoporosis too. What should I do?

Megan

Lynn Vandyke asked:


rates once said, “That which is used develops, and that which is not used wastes away.” I like to believe that he is talking about strength training and its affect on osteoporosis.  Strength training can be defined as any activity that places a heavier load on the muscles than it is typically used to.  Osteoporosis is defined as a decrease in bone mass and density causing bones to become fragile.

Strength training has been shown to increase bone density. It has been shown to increase overall strength, balance and coordination as well. Exercise is one of the best natural defenses against this disease.

Unfortunately, as we grow older we tend to use our muscles less and less. This inactivity is costing us. Falls and broken bones are of major concern to many of us. Strength training can help reduce the number of serious accidents by providing a base of strength and balance.

If you already have osteoporosis a weight training program can still help build bone density. Work with lighter weights and avoid any motion that involves twisting or bending forward. Also avoid high impact exercises such as jumping or running.

If your main goal is to prevent osteoporosis then work with heavier weights and increase the intensity as you go on. This will build your bone mass up incrementally.

In either scenario it is best to talk with your doctor or specialist before starting any strength training or exercise program.  Your doctor will be able to tell you about any precautions you should take. Hippocrates was right. If we don’t use it, we will lose it.

Earl

Peter Clark asked:


Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease, which means that it progresses over time. In order to determine if you have osteoporosis, it is ideal to visit your doctor for a bone density test. Once your doctor has confirmed that you have this bone condition, it is important to take osteoporosis medication or other treatment options into consideration.

 

First and foremost, it is important to make sure that you follow your doctor’s instructions in regards to any type of osteoporosis treatment medication. Be sure to remind your doctor of any health conditions or medications that you may currently be on, in order to insure that they will not interfere with treatment options.

 

That said, there are several osteoporosis medications and treatments that you should know about.

Bisphosphonates are the most common type of osteoporosis treatment medication that is used to prevent further bone density from being lost. Some of the most popular brand name medications that fall under this category of prescription drugs include Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva.

 

However although these are some of the more popular osteoporosis medications, they are not without their detractors. Fosamax, in particular, is the subject of one internet forum where users of the drug report a wide range of unpleasant and unwanted side effects.

Your doctor will also probably recommend a vitamin supplement as an additional osteoporosis medication. Certain vitamins, such as Calcium and Vitamin D, can slow down the process of osteoporosis. A diet which consists of a high amount of both of these vitamins, as well as other essential nutrients, is a main key to prevention of osteoporosis.

 

Research has shown that changes in diet can have a beneficial effect on osteoporosis, however a change in diet does not, of itself, constitute a complete osteoporosis treatment.

 

Research has also shown that there can be major steps taken towards combating osteoporosis by the use of high quality dietary supplements. Good quality nutritional supplements (and there are some very bad quality ones around) can help in the battle against this degenerative bone condition, and should be part of any total solution to osteoporosis.

 

There is also a good chance that your doctor will recommend you to stay active if you have osteoporosis. Exercise is known to work as an osteoporosis treatment medication, as it can help keep the bones in good health. A regular exercise routine is a main key to osteoporosis prevention and treatment.

The right treatment for osteoporosis varies according to person. What works for some may not work for others. Generally, however, a combination of dietary changes and high quality nutritional supplements aimed specifically at combating is ideal for the best results.

 

Once your doctor has confirmed that you have lost bone density or you have osteoporosis, it is important to talk about which osteoporosis medication is the right choice for you.

 

And remember, not all nutritional supplements are good quality, and it may surprise you to find out which company manufactures the best nutritional supplements. They certainly don’t sell them in your local drugstore.

 



Stacey

luvhrlysnjager2 asked:


There are hundreds of supplements I can take but I need one with vitamin D as that helps your body absorb the calcium. I would really like to know foods that are high in calcium. I have caught this early enough to prevent further damage and hope to do so.

Bill

nenemac1976 asked:


If my lumbar images are of good quality and my bone mass is normal. What is the treatment program that would allow me to stay this way?

Renee

Nathan Wei asked:


Vitamin D has become a fascinating and controversial topic recently. Vitamin D is a powerful nutrient. And it’s found in many foods. So what makes this vitamin so important now? Compelling scientific evidence has shown it can reduce the risk of several medical conditions including osteoporosis, arthritis, (periodontal) gum disease, diabetes, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, muscle disease, immunological disease, and some malignancies.

How do you if you’re getting enough vitamin D? Here are some easy tips to follow:

1. Enjoy a “safe” amount of sunlight

Now that it’s summer, you can get all the vitamin D you need…. But watch out! The major source of vitamin D is our own bodies which produce vitamin D through exposure to the sunlight. Too much sun can damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. Talk with your dermatologist about the safest way to get some sun. All you need is about 15 minutes, a few times a week (the best times are before 10am and after 2pm).

2. Use vitamin D supplements

Foods are limited in the amount of vitamin D they contain. You should consider supplements, particularly in the winter months. As always, check with your physician before beginning vitamin D… or any supplement for that matter. A good target to shoot for is about 1,000 International Units (IUs) per day.

A good multivitamin that provides at least 400 IUs of vitamin D is a good place to start. Women on calcium supplements should take one that also provides Vitamin D. Make sure vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is in the supplement. Cholecalciferol is the most potent form of vitamin D. Two popular brands are:

• Citracal Plus D

• Caltrate 600-D

If a man requires calcium supplementation- and men do get osteoporosis- they should take a calcium supplement that provides 400-1000IUs of D3 (cholcalciferol). Men should be cautious with calcium supplementation because of data suggesting that too much calcium can increase the risk of prostate problems.

Be careful. Too much calcium and vitamin D increases the risk of kidney stones. Periodic monitoring of vitamin D levels by the physician should be done.

3. Eat Vitamin D- containing foods

Dairy products such as:

Skim and 1% low-fat milk, 1 cup = 100 IU

Fortified yogurt Dannon Light & Fit, 1 cup = 80 IU

Grains such as:

Fortified cereals -Multigrain Cheerios, 1 cup = 40 IU

Post Bran Flakes, 1 cup = 40 IU

Kasha, 1 ¼ cup = 80 IU

Fish:

Wild salmon, 3oz = 420 IU

Atlantic mackerel, 3oz = 320 IU

Sardines, 1 can = 250 IU

Shrimp, 3 oz = 150 IU

And even mushrooms like Shitake Mushrooms, 4 items = 260 IU

3. Help Granny out

Nursing home residents are at highest risk for vitamin D deficiency and its attendant problems. They should have vitamin D levels checked and may require high dose therapy with prescription strength vitamin D.

4. Get your vitamin D level checked when days become shorter

Since most of our vitamin D is manufactured as a result of sunlight exposure, many people become vitamin D deficient in the winter. You need to have your vitamin D level looked at by your physician if you are not getting outdoors or are not taking supplementation.



Stacey

Grace J asked:


I need to know what someone with osteoprosis can’t do. Things like lifting heavy objects, bending over at strange angles, etc. HELP!

Ruben

Brenda Williams asked:


Osteoporosis is a diseases that affects the strength of bones and could lead to fractures. The bone mineral density is reduced, the structure of the bone is changed and the collagen amounts present in the bones is altered when a person has osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is most prominent in women older than 55. The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that osteoporosis is due to a loss in density in bone mass. The bone mass has a mineral density of 2.5 standard deviations less than peak bone mass of a healthy 20-year-old female.

Osteoporosis occurs mostly in women following menopause, in which its name is postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can also occur in males and can occur in anyone that suffers from a particular hormonal disorder and any other chronic diseases. Medications can also cause osteoporosis, which can lead to a lowered life expectancy and a poorer quality of life. To treat osteoporosis, doctors prescribe medicines and inform their patients of eating plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and also to prevent falling down. The risk of having bone fractures with osteoporosis is greater if the patient falls down regularly.

There are no definitive symptoms of osteoporosis but there is always that increased risk of bone fractures. Since the fractures normally occur in people who are fairly healthy, they are named fragility fractures. The fractures usually occur in the hip, wrist, rib and vertebrae column. Osteoporosis is part of a circular pattern of problems in the elder members of society. The risk of falling is increased later in life due to impaired eyesight. Impaired eyesight can be caused by glaucoma and or macular degeneration. Other risks of falling in the elderly come from balancing disorders, dementia, and/or movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

There are plenty of risks that aid in the development of osteoporosis that can be easily avoidable. Excessive drinking starting at a young age increases the likelihood of osteoporosis, a deficiency of vitamin D, smoking tobacco, malnutrition, low body mass, physical inactivity and the drinking of certain soft drinks because they include phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid drinks tend to remove calcium-containing drinks from people’s diets, which in turn limits the amount of calcium in the body.

Doctors recommend that patients suffering from osteoporosis need to have a strong intake of vitamin D and calcium to strengthen their bones and body mass. Doctors also suggest continued exercise such as aerobic, weight lifting, resistance exercises. Prevention of osteoporosis starts at a young age by not drinking alcohol heavily or smoking tobacco products on a regular basis since both of these have been directly linked to causing osteoporosis.

Proper nutrition, exercise and any needed medication throughout one’s life can also help to prevent osteoporosis. Experts have estimated that 1 in women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 on a worldwide scale have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis has also been deemed responsible for millions of fractures per year. The treatment for osteoporosis took a step in the right direction in the 1960’s with the development of bisphosponates, the main drug used against the condition. Such medications include Boniva and Actonel.



Tamara