Osteoporosis is a bone disease affecting the structure and strength of bone, raising the risk of fractures. It is estimated that 200 million people have osteoporosis. In this condition bone becomes weak and brittle. Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone to fracture. The spine, hips, ribs, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis, although osteoporosis related fractures can occur in almost any skeletal bone. Mostly it is occurred in women in post-menopause period due to sudden decrease in protective estrogen levels after menopause.
Causes
- Osteoporosis can occur after mid thirty, and with the increase in age it can be at more risk.
- If anyone has suffered with fracture with a low level injury after the age of fifty.
- Heredity can be one of the reasons. It can occur if a parent or sibling has the disease, particularly if parent have a hip fracture.
- Certain medications can cause osteoporosis.
- Higher doses of steroids may also cause bone loss.
- Lack of calcium and vitamins due to poor diet can cause this disease.
Symptoms
Osteoporosis can be present without any symptoms for decades because osteoporosis doesn’t cause symptoms until bone breaks. There is no actual symptom for Osteoporosis as thinning of bones develops slowly over several years. However, after a certain amount of bone loss, the following may occur:
- It causes loss of height.
- Persistent back pain.
- A forward stooping posture.
- Fracture of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones.
Diagnosis
It can be detected by routine X-rays because the bones appear much thinner and lighter than normal. A bone mineral density test, sometimes just called a bone density test, examines segments of your bone through X-rays to detect osteoporosis. One of the most common osteoporosis tests is dual X-ray absorptiometry — also called DXA or DEXA. It measures people’s spine, hips, or total-body bone density to help measure their risk of fractures. A vertebra affected by osteoporosis may fracture even without a fall or significant force on it this.
Prevention
The risk of developing Osteoporosis can be lowered through simple changes in lifestyle.
- Change in lifestyle inverse the risk factors, as tobacco smoking and high alcohol intake have been linked with osteoporosis.
- Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D through a healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of Osteoporosis. As Calcium intake about 1000-1200 mg a day is needed by women over 50 and everyone after 70. Vitamin D supplements may be necessary for anyone who is housebound.
- Regular weight bearing exercise and simple walking promotes healthy bones and strengthens support from muscles. Exercise such as yoga promotes proper posture and balance to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
Treatment
Treatment for osteoporosis will depend upon the results of bone density scans, age, gender, medical history and the severity of the condition. Treatment most commonly involves lifestyle changes and medications and aims to maximize bone density and reduce the risk of bone fracture.
Some simple ways to boost calcium in your diet are as mentioned here:
- Drink at least one cup of milk or almond milk daily.
- Drink calcium fortified orange juice for calcium intake.
- Make scrambled eggs, soups, pan-cakes, cakes and oatmeal with milk lactose free milk or almond milk.
- Add snacks with yogurt and fruit in your meal.
- Use yogurt in spinach dip.