Osteoporosis is the medical term used to describe porous and fragile bones, which leads to an increased risk of fractures. The disease mainly affects older adults, but that doesn’t mean younger people are immune to it. In fact, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime! It’s important to know what osteoporosis is and how you can prevent it so you can make sure your bones stay strong and healthy as you get older.
The facts about osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become more fragile and susceptible to fracture. Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis because their bodies do not produce estrogen, which helps build strong bones. Women who have gone through menopause earlier, those with low body weight or small frame, as well as people suffering from certain diseases such as diabetes may also be at higher risk for developing osteoporosis. Osteopenia—which precedes osteoporosis—affects an estimated 54 million people in the United States; however, there are ways that you can reduce your risk of developing any kind of bone disease before it happens by leading a healthy lifestyle today. Here are some tips on preventing osteopenia
Know your bone density test results
One of the most basic bone-density tests done on patients is called a DXA, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. It’s quick, painless and safe. During a DXA scan, you lie on a table while a scanner passes over your hip and spine several times. The machine assesses your bone density in these areas by determining how much calcium there is in each square centimeter of bone tissue; if you have osteoporosis, more than 50 percent of that calcium will be replaced by soft tissue or muscle. The doctor can also view other information about your body weight, lean mass (muscle) versus fat mass and overall density of body tissues.
Warning signs of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bone tissue deteriorates, becomes brittle, and easily fractures. It results from low levels of calcium in combination with low levels of Vitamin D, along with excess amounts of certain substances such as glucocorticoids. This leads to weakened bones that break more easily. It can lead to thinning and loss of height (osteopenia) as well as an increased risk for fractures.
Although osteoporosis typically has no symptoms, there are a few warning signs that people experiencing osteoporosis should look out for. Bone pain can be a sign of osteoporosis, but more often bone pain is actually caused by other issues such as arthritis. If you're experiencing bone pain, be sure to see your doctor. Other signs include changes in height or posture, an increase in fractures (for example, if you've recently broken your wrist), changes in sensation (like numbness or tingling) and feelings of weakness. Those with an already high risk of developing osteoporosis may experience these symptoms sooner than others who aren't at risk.
Treatments for osteoporosis
If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor will likely prescribe medication as a treatment. Calcium supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs, or bisphosphonates (such as Fosamax) can all help treat osteoporosis in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Talk to your doctor about whether medication for osteoporosis might be right for you. Even if you don’t have symptoms of Osteoarthritis yet, prevention is key; start taking medications that slow bone loss now! Another option for those who suffer from severe cases of Osteoarthritis is surgical replacement of diseased joints with synthetic ones. This procedure could increase mobility and pain levels dramatically.
Ways to decrease risk of osteoporosis
Hip fractures are serious injuries that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Hip fractures can occur when a person falls and breaks their hip, or when they’re in a car accident. Hip fractures most commonly occur among people 65 years of age or older. It is also possible for younger people to suffer from hip fractures as well, but these types of injuries are more common among senior citizens. The good news about hip fractures is that they can be treated effectively with proper care and rehabilitation, although there are some risks associated with surgery, infection, blood clots (thrombophlebitis), blood loss during surgery (hemorrhage), pain after surgery (painkiller side effects) or death. To help decrease your risk of suffering from a hip fracture, here are three things you should do:
1. Get enough calcium
2. Stay active
3. Eat foods rich in vitamin D and K Osteoporosis
- Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Hip fractures are serious injuries that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Hip fractures can occur when a person falls and breaks their hip, or when they’re in a car accident. Hip fractures most commonly occur among people 65 years of age or older. It is also possible for younger people to suffer from hip fractures as well, but these types of injuries are more common among senior citizens. The good news about hip fractures is that they can be treated effectively with proper care and rehabilitation, although there are some risks associated with surgery, infection, blood clots (thrombophlebitis), blood loss during surgery (hemorrhage), pain after surgery (painkiller side effects) or death.
How hip fractures are treated
Hip fractures are typically treated with a drug called bisphosphonate, which helps decrease bone loss. Side effects of bisphosphonates include stomach pain, diarrhea, mouth sores, ulcers, heartburn and constipation. The risk of broken hips can be reduced through exercise — especially strength training. Research shows that women who regularly work out their hip muscles have less than half as many falls (and fractures) as women who don’t do any strength training.
It’s also important to take calcium supplements or eat yogurt containing active cultures twice a day; research shows that taking calcium supplements or eating yogurt containing active cultures twice a day reduces falls in older adults by 30 percent. You should also talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for vitamin D, which has been shown to reduce falls by 50 percent. If you live alone, consider installing grab bars in your bathroom and near your shower so you won’t fall when you get up at night. You should also invest in an emergency alert system that will call for help if you fall down and aren’t able to reach a phone. And make sure you wear sturdy shoes with good traction so you won’t slip on wet floors or lose your balance on uneven surfaces like gravel driveways.
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