OSTEOPOROSIS
As our bodies age, there are a number of health concerns that people need to stay aware to avoid lengthy treatment and health complications. Over ten million people suffer from osteoporosis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), and most of these sufferers are women. Women are twice as likely to have issues with bone density and osteoporosis than men.
However, there are steps women can take to stay healthy, avoid developing the life-altering disease, and understand their health information.
Osteoporosis is a disease that literally means porous bones, and it affects bone density making them fragile and more likely to break.
Bone is made up of minerals, mainly calcium salts, bound together by strong collagen fibres.
Our bones have a thick, hard outer shell (called cortical or compact bone) which is easily seen on x-rays. Inside this, there’s a softer, spongy mesh of bone (trabecular bone) which has a honeycomb-like structure.
The disease develops when bones lose critical nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorous. While the disease affects all the bones in the body, the bones most likely to break ares hip, wrist, and spine.
Many people already suffer from the disease, but have no idea.
Some of the warning signs that you may have osteoporosis include:
Fractures to the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones
Loss of height in conjunction with a stooped posture or other spinal deformity
Severe back pain from a collapsed vertebrae
Changes in hormones have a major influence on the possibility of osteoporosis, but there are other possible factors, such as bed confinement, thyroid issues, bone cancer, inadequate calcium or vitamin D intake, age, sex, and body size. There are medical treatments for osteoporosis, but it’s better to start early with preventative measures.
Here are some of the preventive measures that can help lower chance of osteoporos
Calcium/Vitamin D Intake
Changes the amount of nutrition in your diet to increase amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Taking a multivitamin also helps with the intake necessary to avoid this disease.
Weight-Bearing Exercise
This type of exercise, specifically jogging and walking, stimulates new bone growth and increases muscle mass, which protects bones against deterioration.
Other options are the following:
Add soy to your diet
Avoid caffeine
Limit alcohol and smoking
Hormone Therapy, for post-menopausal women
While these preventative measures are no guarantee that you won’t contract osteoporosis after you start to lose bone mass, around 30, they will help to lower your chances. Proper nutrition and exercise are key to avoid the pains of this disease.
Filed Under: # Aches # Pains# menopause #bone health#joint health
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