Defining Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is diagnosed when bones are very weak and brittle. Bone is living tissue constantly being absorbed and replaced by the body. Osteoporosis transpires when the creation of new bones are not in line with the elimination of old bone. They are so brittle that a fall or a mild stress can cause a fracture. Generally osteoporosis related fractures are in the hip, wrist or spine.
Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain instigated by a cracked vertebra, reduction in height as you grow older and stooped posture. You can have a bone fracture that happens with mild injuries and this is a symptom. Risk factors to osteoporosis include your sex. Women are more likely to acquire osteoporosis than men. The older you get the higher your risk of osteoporosis. If you are white or Asian descent you generally have a noticeable rate of this bone disease. If your family history includes a parent with osteoporosis you may experience a higher risk of this bone disease. Those with diminutive body frames tend to have a greater risk of this syndrome, and hormone levels including sex hormones may contribute to osteoporosis. Do be aware that if you have low calcium consumption or weight loss surgeries you may have a high risk of osteoporosis.
Treating Osteoporosis
Medications tend to be the treatment of choice for osteoporosis that is advanced. You can be prescribed bisphosphonates that include alendronate and Boniva plus Zoledronic. The side effects to these medications include nausea, abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing. Estrogen therapy just after menopause can help preserve bone mass but this therapy carries a high danger of blood clots and endometrial cancers as well as increased breast cancer risks.
Take care of yourself at home by a cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption. You need to prevent falls since repeated fractures will also contribute to osteoporosis. Install grab bars inside the shower and make sure you can get in and out of bed easily. You may want to make sure area rugs and slippery surfaces are taken care of.
To minimize the risk of osteoporosis you can take supplements of calcium and vitamin D. You can also get calcium and vitamin D from your diet. Dairy and fruits and vegetables will give you supplements of calcium and drinking vitamin D fortified milk will also help. If you can, get plenty of natural sunshine without getting burned. You also need to get plenty of regular exercise and take your proper medications. Have bone density checkups on a regular basis. You do need to monitor your nutrition closely. It has been found that excessive soda drinking will contribute to this syndrome and if you skimp on your rest your bones have less opportunity to rejuvenate. Taking care of your health will decrease your risk for osteoporosis.
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