Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a bone condition where there is a decrease in the density and strength of bones, resulting in fragility. Osteoporosis leads to porous bones that make them compressible, just like sponge. This skeletal disorder weakens bones, which results in frequent breakage or fractures in the bones. A similar condition, called osteopenia, is a condition where bones are less dense than normal, but not to the same degree as osteoporosis.

The bones are composed of calcium, protein, and collagen, which give bones their structure and strength. With osteoporosis, bones can break or fracture easily, even with minor injuries that normally do not cause fractures. These fractures can be in the form of cracks (such as in hip fractures), or bones may collapse (such as compression fractures of the spinal vertebrae). Fractures related to osteoporosis can affect any bone, but those of the spine, ribs, hips and wrists are most common.

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?


Osteoporosis may not cause any symptoms in the early stage of the disease. However, it may later cause dull pain, especially in the neck or in the lower back. Still later in the course of this disease, one may develop sudden onset of sharp pains. Pain may not spread or radiate to other areas, but it may become worse with activity, or when one puts weight on the affected area. This may also be accompanied by pain on touch, or tenderness, which may subside within one week. Pain, however may last more than 3 months.

Fracture in the hip or wrist may follow a fall, but in other cases, people who have osteoporosis do not recall any trauma or fall that may cause a fracture in other parts of the body such as the spine. A stooped posture and a reduction in height may result from a spinal compression fracture due to osteoporosis.

When to See a Doctor
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of bone weakness if you have a family history of osteoporosis, especially hip fractures. You may also be a Candidate for the condition if you had an early menopause, or if you took treatments with corticosteroids for several months.

What Are the Causes of Osteoporosis?
The bones are constantly being renewed as old bones are broken down and new bones are formed. While you were young, the body new bone is made faster than old bone is broken down, so that bone mass is increased. Bone mass reaches its peak by the time you are in your early 20s. However, as you age, you lose bone mass faster than you make new bone.

Various factors increase the risk of osteoporosis, and these include the following:

Risk Factors of Osteoporosis
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors	Age – osteoporosis risk increases after 35 years Asian and Caucasian race Small body frame Family history of hip fracture Previous history of fracture after low-level injury in elderly
Modifiable Risk Factors	Having less estrogen (postmenopausal) Eating disorders Excessive use of alcohol Tobacco smoking Low calcium and vitamin D levels Low activity levels
Medication Risk Factors	Use of corticosteroids, like prednisone and prednisolone Thyroid hormone therapy Blood-thinners like heparin Anastrozole and other drugs that reduce sex hormones Letrozole for breast Cancer Leuprorelin for Prostate Cancer

What Are the Treatments of Osteoporosis?
Medical Treatments

Common Medications

These include bisphosphonates such as

• Alendronate


• Risedronate


• Ibandronate


• Zoledronic acid

2. Less Common Osteoporosis Medications

These are used if you cannot tolerate common drugs for osteoporosis:

• Teriparatide, a drug that stimulates growth of new bone.


• Denosumab, which targets a different step in the process of bone remodeling.

3. Hormone-Related Therapy

• Estrogen therapy may be started soon after menopause to help maintain good bone density. However, this can increase your risk of developing Blood Clots, Breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and Heart disease.


• Raloxifene (Evista) acts like estrogen in postmenopausal women, with less risk of breast cancer. However it may increase your risk of experiencing Hot Flashes and developing blood clots.


• Osteoporosis in men may be related to a gradual decline in testosterone levels. Treatment may consist of using osteoporosis medications or testosterone replacement therapy.

Home Remedies

Stop smoking.Smoking may lead to reduction of estrogen levels as well as decreased intestinal absorption of calcium, leading to bone loss.

Control alcohol intake.Drinking more than one glass of alcohol daily may reduce calcium absorption and bone formation. Alcohol can also increase your risk of fractures due to falls.

Be careful not to fall. Avoid falling by wearing shoes with low heels and non-slip soles. Improve lighting conditions and remove any obstacles that can cause tripping or falls.

How to Prevent Osteoporosis in Daily Life
Exercise
Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes about five times a week helps prevent osteoporosis by stimulating bone production and strengthening your bones. Weight-bearing exercises are best, and these include brisk walking, dancing, running, and aerobics. Older people may benefit from regular walking.

Exercises that strengthen the muscles are also important to support the bones, improve balance, and prevent falling. Examples include weight lifting and press-ups.

Watch the video to know how to prevent Osteoporosis by spine strengthener exercise:

Food with Enough Calcium & Vitamin D
Experts recommend taking at least 1,000 mg of calcium, and at least 800 IU of vitamin D per day, for people older than 50. You must also take at least one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

• Good sources of calcium include skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, hard cheese, yogurt, and sardines. Other good calcium sources are calcium-fortified bread and soya milk, and some vegetables and fruits.


• Good sources of vitamin D include cooked salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, and sardines. Exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun also triggers vitamin D production in the skin. Vitamin D supplements may also be taken especially by elderly people older than 65 years.

Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?

Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?

Osteoporosis is a medical condition where bones become fragile and brittle from loss of bone tissue, typically resulting from a deficiency of calcium or vitamin D, and/or hormonal changes. Osteoporosis affects both men and women, but white and Asian women, especially older women who are experiencing post menopause are at a higher risk. Osteoporosis happens when new bone can’t replace the loss of old bone fast enough.

Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?
No, there is no cure for osteoporosis. Realistically speaking, the goal is to help prevent future fractures from occurring or re-occurring. You can mitigate the consequences of osteoporosis with a variety of medications to help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

What Can Be Done to Mitigate Its Effects?
1. Medical Treatments
Antiresorptive medicinessuch as bisphosphonates are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat osteoporosis. Can osteoporosis be reversed with medical treatments? No, but they can help stop or slow the natural process that dissolves bone tissue (apoPtosis), which results in maintained or increased bone strength and density. Bisphosphonates include:

• Fosamax (alendronate)


• Actonel (risedronate)


• Boniva (ibandronate)


• Reclast (zoledronic acid)


• Fortical and Miacalcin (calcitonin-salmon)


• Evista (raloxifene)


• Prolia (denosumab)


• Forteo (teriparatide paraThyroid hormone)

Among the drugs, Fortical and Miacalcin andEvista are approved for women post-menopause,Prolia and Forteo are approved for men at high risk of fracture, and the rest drugs are all approved for both men andwomen.

2. Hormone Therapy
Can osteoporosis be reversed through hormone therapy? For many decades, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) has been the mainstay for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis among menopausal women.

• Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) isan agent that activates some estrogen receptors like those on bone tissues, but without affecting other tissues that have estrogen receptors.


• Thyrocalcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the thyroid gland. It helps to regulate the calcium levels in your body and is involved in the process of bone building.


• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a naturally occurring hormone by a gland behind the thyroid that helps to regulate the calcium and phosphate levels in a person's body.

What Should You Notice in Your Daily Life?
Can osteoporosis be reversed? Although the answer is ‘NO’, there are still many things you can do to build strong bones and prevent a more severe osteoporosis, such as have a healthy diet, weight-bearing exercise, and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

1. Stop Sodas
Sodas, especially cola, contain phosphorous in the form of phosphoric acid, and too much phosphorous may reduce the amount of calcium that the body can absorb. Certain soft drinks may also contain caffeine in high amounts that can cause bone loss. However, some carbonated mineral waters are beneficial to good bone health. For goodbonehealth, it is best to stop drinking sodas or highly caffeinated soft drinks.

2. Stop Drinking Coffee
Every cup of coffee that you drink causes you to lose 150 mg of calcium through your urine, and chemically decaffeinated coffee is not any better, because it has chemicals that hinder the process of detoxification. Naturally decaffeinated teas might be a better substitute, but if you have to drink coffee, at least add some milk or cream to increase your calcium level for every cup you drink.

3. Keep a Healthy Diet
Too much refined sugar and starches can elevate your insulin levels, and cause an increasing risk for osteoporosis. The glycemic index measures the effects of food on blood sugar levels (glucose). The resulting measurement is called the glycemic index of that food. People who have osteoporosis need to maintain a low glycemic index diet that includes, beans, vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and lean meats, because they break down more slowly releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream.

4. Ease Your Stress
Stress induces some physiological changes leading to osteoporosis and raises cortisol levels. If cortisol levels remain high for long periods of time, it can lead to bone loss. Cortisol antagonizes the effects of insulin and leads to insulin resistance, eventually raising the blood sugar and causing calcium loss in the urine.Easing your stress can include activities such as tai chi, yoga, massage, and meditation, and may also include taking a vacation, getting more sleep, or getting help with relationships.

5. Do Some Exercise
Can osteoporosis be reversed? Although ‘NO’ is the answer, exercise can help strengthen your bones. High-impact exercises, such as hiking, walking, weightlifting, and climbing stairs, help build bones to keep them strong. However, if you are at risk of breaking a bone, or have broken a bone due to osteoporosis, you may need to avoid high-impact exercises. Instead choose some low impact weight-bearing exercises such as elliptical training machines, low-impact aerobics, fast walking on a treadmill, or stair-step machines. Non-impact exercises may also help you to improve posture, balance, and how well you move during everyday activities.

6. Add Vitamin D
Vitamin D is also essential for healthy bones because it promotes calcium absorption and helps your skeleton remodel. However, more than half of all adults may not be getting enough. Your body makes vitamin D on its own whenever sunlight touches your skin, but you can also get it through food and dietary supplements such as:

• Cod liver oil, 1 Tbsp.


• Egg with the yolk, 1 large


• Canned tuna, 3 ounces


• Salmon, 3 ounces


• Yogurt fortified with vitamin D, 6 ounces


• Fat-free vitamin-D fortified milk, 1 cup


• Sun exposure, 15 minutes on half your body

7. Get a Density Test
A study found that only 30 % of women in their mid-60s had undergone a bone scan, and wouldn't be aware if they were at risk for osteoporosis. However, if you're in your mid-50s or 60s and broke a bone during a fall, you should consider getting tested. If you don't have any risk factures, then you can delay getting a bone density test until 65. All women, regardless of whether they've broken a bone, should be tested at age 65.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone condition where there is a decrease in the density and strength of bones, resulting in fragility. Osteoporosis leads to porous bones that make them compressible, just like sponge. This skeletal disorder weakens bones, which results in frequent breakage or fractures in the bones. A similar condition, called osteopenia, is a condition where bones are less dense than normal, but not to the same degree as osteoporosis.

The bones are composed of calcium, protein, and collagen, which give bones their structure and strength. With osteoporosis, bones can break or fracture easily, even with minor injuries that normally do not cause fractures. These fractures can be in the form of cracks (such as in hip fractures), or bones may collapse (such as compression fractures of the spinal vertebrae). Fractures related to osteoporosis can affect any bone, but those of the spine, ribs, hips and wrists are most common.

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?


Osteoporosis may not cause any symptoms in the early stage of the disease. However, it may later cause dull pain, especially in the neck or in the lower back. Still later in the course of this disease, one may develop sudden onset of sharp pains. Pain may not spread or radiate to other areas, but it may become worse with activity, or when one puts weight on the affected area. This may also be accompanied by pain on touch, or tenderness, which may subside within one week. Pain, however may last more than 3 months.

Fracture in the hip or wrist may follow a fall, but in other cases, people who have osteoporosis do not recall any trauma or fall that may cause a fracture in other parts of the body such as the spine. A stooped posture and a reduction in height may result from a spinal compression fracture due to osteoporosis.

When to See a Doctor
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of bone weakness if you have a family history of osteoporosis, especially hip fractures. You may also be a Candidate for the condition if you had an early menopause, or if you took treatments with corticosteroids for several months.

What Are the Causes of Osteoporosis?
The bones are constantly being renewed as old bones are broken down and new bones are formed. While you were young, the body new bone is made faster than old bone is broken down, so that bone mass is increased. Bone mass reaches its peak by the time you are in your early 20s. However, as you age, you lose bone mass faster than you make new bone.

Various factors increase the risk of osteoporosis, and these include the following:

Risk Factors of Osteoporosis
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors	Age – osteoporosis risk increases after 35 years Asian and Caucasian race Small body frame Family history of hip fracture Previous history of fracture after low-level injury in elderly
Modifiable Risk Factors	Having less estrogen (postmenopausal) Eating disorders Excessive use of alcohol Tobacco smoking Low calcium and vitamin D levels Low activity levels
Medication Risk Factors	Use of corticosteroids, like prednisone and prednisolone Thyroid hormone therapy Blood-thinners like heparin Anastrozole and other drugs that reduce sex hormones Letrozole for breast Cancer Leuprorelin for Prostate Cancer

What Are the Treatments of Osteoporosis?
Medical Treatments

Common Medications

These include bisphosphonates such as

• Alendronate


• Risedronate


• Ibandronate


• Zoledronic acid

2. Less Common Osteoporosis Medications

These are used if you cannot tolerate common drugs for osteoporosis:

• Teriparatide, a drug that stimulates growth of new bone.


• Denosumab, which targets a different step in the process of bone remodeling.

3. Hormone-Related Therapy

• Estrogen therapy may be started soon after menopause to help maintain good bone density. However, this can increase your risk of developing Blood Clots, Breast Cancer, endometrial cancer, and Heart Disease.


• Raloxifene (Evista) acts like estrogen in postmenopausal women, with less risk of breast cancer. However it may increase your risk of experiencing Hot Flashes and developing blood clots.


• Osteoporosis in men may be related to a gradual decline in testosterone levels. Treatment may consist of using osteoporosis medications or testosterone replacement therapy.

Home Remedies

Stop smoking.Smoking may lead to reduction of estrogen levels as well as decreased intestinal absorption of calcium, leading to bone loss.

Control alcohol intake.Drinking more than one glass of alcohol daily may reduce calcium absorption and bone formation. Alcohol can also increase your risk of fractures due to falls.

Be careful not to fall. Avoid falling by wearing shoes with low heels and non-slip soles. Improve lighting conditions and remove any obstacles that can cause tripping or falls.

How to Prevent Osteoporosis in Daily Life
Exercise
Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes about five times a week helps prevent osteoporosis by stimulating bone production and strengthening your bones. Weight-bearing exercises are best, and these include brisk walking, dancing, running, and aerobics. Older people may benefit from regular walking.

Exercises that strengthen the muscles are also important to support the bones, improve balance, and prevent falling. Examples include weight lifting and press-ups.

Watch the video to know how to prevent Osteoporosis by spine strengthener exercise:

Food with Enough Calcium & Vitamin D
Experts recommend taking at least 1,000 mg of calcium, and at least 800 IU of vitamin D per day, for people older than 50. You must also take at least one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

• Good sources of calcium include skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, hard cheese, yogurt, and sardines. Other good calcium sources are calcium-fortified bread and soya milk, and some vegetables and fruits.


• Good sources of vitamin D include cooked salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, and sardines. Exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun also triggers vitamin D production in the skin. Vitamin D supplements may also be taken especially by elderly people older than 65 years.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis






Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone muscles and tissues become thin over time. When the body loses the tendency to form new bones this condition develops and as such osteoporosis is the most common bone disease. It is found in people who are above 55 or 60 years. Lack of calcium and phosphate may also trigger this condition in old age, thereby affecting bones. In women, it often occurs during menopause stage when there is reduction in the hormone level. Vitamin D deficiency, thyroid problem and other chronic illness may also cause osteoporosis. Some of the symptoms are low back pain, tenderness in bone joints, and neck pain.The treatment methods of osteoporosis should be effective to control pain and prevent bone decay.

Bisphosphonate are given for controlling and preventing osteoporosis in women. The other medicine called calcitonin is also prescribed as pills or as nasal spray. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy is used in some women. Regular exercise, lifestyle changes and diet management will also help to control osteoporosis. The affected person will be asked to include calcium rich diet like yogurt, cheese and salmon.

Images, Photos, Pics and Pictures of Osteoporosis: