About Osteoporosis

chelsi woolz asked:


Osteoporosis: How it Develops and Who it Affects

Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by the loss of minerals like calcium, leading to low bone density and abnormally porous bone. Bones are more brittle and prone to fractures, commonly in the hips, spine, and wrists, though fractures can occur anywhere. In Australia, one-half of women and one-third of men over age 60 will have an osteoporotic fracture.

Bone Density:

Genetic factors determine bone density, but it can also be influenced by environmental factors and some medications. A person’s bone density develops during childhood and reaches its peak around age 25. This peak level is maintained for ten years. After 35, people begin to lose bone density at a rate of .3% to .5% per year; this is a normal consequence of the aging process.

Oestrogen is important to maintaining bone density. After menopause, women begin to lose bone much more quickly, especially in the first five to ten years. It’s common to lose between 1% and 5% of bone per annum after menopause. This accelerated bone loss is a primary factor of women’s development of osteoporosis.

Men tend to lose less bone as they age. When they do experience fractures, however, men have a higher likelihood of disability or death than do women.

Environmental Factors:

Osteoporosis is not wholly determined by genetics; environmental factors – those in our control – are also very important. People are more likely to develop the disease if they smoke, imbibe alcohol excessively, don’t exercise, eat a diet lacking in calcium, generally have poor nutrition and absorption of nutrients, and are deficient in vitamin D.

Impact of Other Diseases:

Other diseases and the medications used to treat them can also cause osteoporosis. Low oestrogen levels, anorexia, hyperthyroidism, and hyperparathyroidism can all contribute to the development of the disease. So, too, can chronic inflammation as well as immobility brought on from a stroke or other illness. Long-term use of medications such as heparin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and oral corticosteroids can also contribute.

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

People with osteoporosis can go years without knowing that anything is wrong. The most prevalent symptom of osteoporosis is a bone fracture, which can go unnoticed. It’s not until patients experience a painful bone fracture that the condition comes to light. X-rays can detect the disease, but only after bones begin to look thin and light due to having lost up to 30% of bone density. X-ray machines are not a consistent diagnosis tool, however a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan is a much more accurate gauge of bone density measurement.

Preventative Measures and Treatments:

People can help prevent the development of osteoporosis by eating healthily, exercising, refraining from smoking, refraining from excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption, and maintaining sufficient calcium and vitamin D levels.

Osteoporosis treatment will work on the cells that break down or build bone. They can reduce bone loss and improve bone density. There are several types of medication available, which work in slightly different ways:

Bisphosphonates Strontium ranelate Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)

Unfortunately there is no way to guarantee one won’t develop osteoporosis, especially if it’s common in one’s family. However, awareness of the symptoms and risk factors can lead to early diagnosis, better management of the disease, and improved quality of life.



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Julie asked:


Ladies let me first congratulate you on taking powerful strides to getting your osteoporosis condition under control. As women, we are seldom afforded with the opportunity to better ourselves through natural and inexpensive techniques, but with the proper exercise you can help yourself live a longer and more active life.

Within this article you will find very useful information about the positive effects that exercising can have on a woman’s body. This information is available to show you how you can live with osteoporosis and still carry on your day to day activities without feeling restricted. I know from experience how very difficult this time can be for you and your family, but you need to know that there is hope for you yet. With a little bit of time, dedication and support from others who are dealing with the same condition, you will see the results of your efforts in no time.

What Is Osteoporosis?

For those of you who are new to this condition and only know what you have heard on commercials, osteoporosis is the loss of calcium and bone tissue in the bones. Since there is a lack of calcium, it makes the bones more susceptible to breaking or fracturing. I know when you hear about broken bones it can be a little hard to take in. The fact that there is so much research being conducted on the condition makes it easy to access very valuable information on the internet and in medical books at the bookstore or library.

What Preventive Methods Are Available?

As of right now, preventing the condition is best through a calcium-rich diet and proper exercising. The earlier you begin these two regimens the more time you will have to condition your body in the hopes of preventing osteoporosis from occurring. Doctors are still conducting research studies to determine what else can be done to prevent this very serious condition that is becoming increasingly popular by the day.

Go For a Consultation With Your Physician

Before attempting to do any exercises, be sure to consult with your physician and let them know that you are interested in finding an exercise regimen that will work best for you. It is important for you to know that every case of osteoporosis will vary from person to person. What this means is that you may not necessarily be able to do some exercises that you want to do. The severity of your condition, your age, any medications you currently may take and many other factors play a huge role in your doctor determining what exercises will work best for you.

Exercises

Depending on your level of mobility and how active you are as an individual, you may want to try walking, aerobics and dancing for starters. These exercises are easy to do and they do not require any assistance from equipment. It can be quite helpful to have someone monitor you while completing these activities just in case you fall.

Rewards

In general when you exercise, it helps to relieve stress, so imagine what effects it can have on the body when you are living with a condition like osteoporosis. By exercising you will be able to burn calories and lose weight, reduce bone loss, reduce your level of pain and improve your physical ability altogether. The biggest reward you can get!

Just Do It

We all know that tomorrow is not necessarily promised. Taking your life one day at a time by completing exercises to assist you in your fight against osteoporosis is essentially one of the smartest moves you can make. Women have to take extra care of themselves since we are the ones who are more prone to this condition due to the hormonal changes associated with menopause. Be proactive. Do not sit and wait for the condition to worsen, you have a lot of life left in you and your family and friends want you to be there.

Take charge of osteoporosis! Start your exercise plan today and get on the road to preventing osteoporosis!



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♣♥♠♦ asked:


She just had for about 4 days, and each time she walks she has to move so slowly to get somewhere. This is serious, she can’t take this anymore. We already send her to the doctor.

I need help.

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nunya asked:


where in the body is calcitriol synthesized?

explain why individuals that live in locations that do not get much sunlight are at risk for developing osteoporosis?

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Julie asked:


Osteoporosis: A Health Risk for Women

Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans, and 80 percent of those are women. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an additional 34 million Americans have low bone density, a serious risk factor for developing osteoporosis and suffering a fracture.  Osteoporosis is a serious health risk for women, and the more you know about this disease, the more you can do to prevent it.

Surely you know of an elderly relative or neighbor who has suffered a fracture from a fall and how difficult recovery from that kind of injury can be. These fractures are usually the result of weakened, fragile bones.  In fact, osteoporosis causes fractures in one out of every two post-menopausal women over 50.  

Hip fractures are extremely difficult to recover from, and often result in a permanent disability.  Many women lose their independence after a fracture, and the medical costs can be huge.  In fact, thirty percent of hip fracture patients end up in nursing homes within a year of their fracture, and twenty percent die in the year following a fracture.

Fractures in the spine can occur because the vertebrae become so weak that they compress.  This compression can be extremely painful and lead to loss of height or stooped posture.  Fractures of the spine require long recovery times, and lead to a very high risk of another spinal fracture within one year.

If you think you don’t need to worry about osteoporosis until you are older, think again.  Women typically have the most bone loss in the first 5 years after menopause.  So, if you are a woman in your fifties, you are probably losing bone mass already.  If you are Caucasian or Asian, have a small frame or have a family history of osteoporosis, your risk of developing osteoporosis is greatly increased.

There are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis in the early stages of the disease. Osteoporosis can silently rob your bones of their strength, and you might be unaware of it until a fracture occurs.  Since your bones are at their peak strength at age 25, bones can begin weakening at an early age.  Even if you are a healthy woman in your early thirties, you should be aware of the risks of osteoporosis and the ways to prevent it.

Don’t wait to educate yourself about osteoporosis.  Talk to your doctor about the risk factors for the disease, ways to prevent bone loss and the newest treatments available.  There are many resources for learning the facts about osteoporosis, such as

If you want to live a healthy and active life as you age, start preventing osteoporosis now. It’s never too soon.



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TinkerBellChick asked:


May adolescent girls and and women consume large quantities of soft drinks or tea and coffee rather than milk. How could this affect calcium intake? How could this relate to the development of osteoporosis later in life? What can women do to prevent osteoporosis? Keep in mind that not everyone can eat dairy foods because of allergies to milk and/or lactose intolerance.

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vanessa asked:


because your bones are really light or is it just a matter of practice?

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Scarlett1 asked:


what genetic defect makes Osteoporosis more likely?

What are other causes?

How does Osteoporosis affect the body?

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John Russell asked:


le Known Source of Support To Avoid or Reduce Osteoporosis

Do You Know The One Vitamin You Need For Osteoporosis? | Osteoporosis - Do You Know if You are Susceptible?

There are recent indications that are herbs, whether prepared as extracts, infusions, compresses, poultices, or tinctures, may slow the onset of osteoporosis.

A recent national health interview survey indicated some 38 million U.S. adults had used natural herbs or supplements during a 12-month period of time.

While not generally recommended for osteoporosis, herbs have been relied upon for thousands of years to restore and maintain health. One of the reasons researchers found herbs may work for osteoporosis is that herbs perform several functions that help the body heal itself. Herbs are found to cleanse, strengthen, and normalize the glands and bodily functions. Herbs provide nutrition, raise energy levels and stimulate the immune system - all important factors in the fight against osteoporosis.

High in vitamins and minerals, as well as many plant-derived chemical compounds (known as photochemicals), herbs can be compared with food because they nourish the body and help it thrive. Noteworthy is the herbal content of vitamin D, which has been documented to reduce, eliminate, or delay the onset of osteoporosis.

According to a noted doctor of oriental medicine, most modern pharmaceuticals are based on chemical constituents that were, at one time, isolated in the traditionally-used herbs. Today, herbs actually serve as the basis of at least 25% of all pharmaceutical drugs.

Herbs have long been considered peoples first choice of medicine and they generally work better in combinations. A world renown herbalist explains that herbal formulas contain a mixture of herbs that is coordinated and has a synergistic affect that no one herb alone can provide.

To restore health, and particularly for osteoporosis, herbal therapies generally require the consumption of herbs over an extended period of time. For osteoporosis, it is best to start herbal therapy long before the actual projected age of onset, certainly by the beginning of perimenopause. Herbs are generally known to treat the actual source of a health problem rather than just the symptoms and they are more gentle-acting than pharmaceuticals. A noted master herbalist reminds us that some herbs conflict with prescription medications, so it is vital people are aware of the dangers. That’s why consulting a knowledgeable herbalist is a necessity.

Herbs are generally inexpensive and readily available. As the “people’s medicine”, wisdom inherent in the plants can be passed down in the community of one generation to the next. Licensing laws for recommending herbs vary from state-to-state.

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