Osteoporosis – Symptoms and Preventive Strategies Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that causes the bones to become weak, thin and lose strength so that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Reports from the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) suggest that about 54 million US adults aged 50 years and older are affected by this condition and low bone mass. This bone disorder is much more common in women than in men due to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Osteoporosis–related fractures most commonly occur in the wrist, hip or spine area. However, they can also occur in other bones, such as in the arm, ribs or pelvis. Bones can fracture even during everyday movements, significantly affecting the ability to move around and leading to severe complications and other health problems. The potential risk factors associated with this condition include – age, sex, genetics, hormonal imbalances, inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and lifestyle and dietary factors. Osteoporosis is not a form of arthritis, but it can cause fractures that lead to the condition. Symptoms Typically, most people do not experience any warning signs or symptoms in the early stage of bone loss. In fact, in most cases people do not even know that they have osteoporosis until they have a bone density test or a fracture. However, some older people may develop compression fractures in the spine which cause the bone to collapse in height. Other symptoms include –
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Stooped posture
Back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
Bone fractures that occur very easily
Diagnosing Osteoporosis and Prevention Techniques Often, the condition is diagnosed after weakened bones have led to a fracture. In some cases, it is diagnosed during a regular physical exam when a patient turns out to have lost some height. This happens when the silent fractures of the spine cause it to compress or curve. As part of the diagnosis, an X-ray may be taken to check whether your bones are less dense than they had been. A bone density test and blood and urine tests may be recommended to identify the root cause of this problem. Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because you can’t feel your bones getting weaker, and so preventing osteoporosis is far better than trying to treat it. Here are some strategies that can keep your bones healthy:
Regular exercise – Regular physical exercise can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss. Combine strength – training exercises with weight bearing exercises. Strength training workouts helps to build muscle and improve bone strength in your arms and upper spine. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, skipping rope, dancing, and even aerobics impact the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine and are particularly important for improving bone density.
Healthy eating – Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important. Calcium-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, dried fruit, yoghurt, low fat dairy products, sardines and salmon help maintain strong bones. Vitamin D, found in eggs, milk and oily fish, is also important for bone health.
Lifestyle factors – Incorporating significant lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and limiting alcohol intake csn help reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.
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Medications – Several medications such as Raloxifene (Evista), Zoledronic acid (Reclast), Alendronate (Fosamax) and Risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia) are prescribed by pain management physicians to prevent menopause-related osteoporosis.
With early detection, loss of bone density can be effectively treated. Enrolling in a slip and fall prevention program at a reliable healthcare center can also reduce the risk of falls and related fractures to a great extent.
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