Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment.

 

 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones of our body. There are 206 bones in our body. These bones are soft at birth. Then slowly the calcium accumulates in the bones and the bones become hard. Hardness increases bone density. As a result, the bones become hard and strong. If the bones of a small child are stressed, the bones will bend. And if the old man's bones are pressed, they will break. Bone density increases between the ages of 20 and 30 after birth. Then naturally the density tends to decrease. In other words, there is decay. Without any symptoms, this disease continues to nest in the body. This disease does not show any symptoms before the fracture of the bone.

 

Symptoms of osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis is difficult to diagnose in the early stages because there are no significant symptoms that can signal the danger. Possible symptoms that may be felt are extremely common and can be confused as an isolated occurrence of pain or stress. It is only when the disease progresses well that there is a possibility that people become aware and notice. Among the most important symptoms of osteoporosis are:

• Chronic back pain, which is most noticeable when leaving the bed. The pain is usually at its worst when walking or standing. Sudden, severe back pain is another familiar experience. Back pain can sometimes be very severe due to contractions of the joints in the spine. These may, however, sometimes cause no symptoms. 
• Suffering from osteoporosis tends to cause the body to lose flexibility. Normal activities that involve bending, twisting, and stretching the body are difficult or cause severe pain when they are done. 
• Fractures are a well-known symptom of osteoporosis. The incidence of fractures, especially after minor falls and injuries, is an obvious symptom. The most well-known areas of fractures are the spine, buttocks, and wrists. Everyday routines like lifting a bag, getting in and out of a car, and sitting in a low tool or chair can be dangerous. 
• Osteoporosis causes a person to bend down forward and it can also be noticed that some people may lose height as a result of the disease.
• Once a person loses weight, he may notice that the upper part of the body begins to bend downwards. This curvature of the spine, known as the Dowager's hump, weakens the posture makes the inclination extremely clear. This condition of the curved spine is called kyphosis.

Causes of osteoporosis:

Causes of osteoporosis are:

• If the body is deficient in calcium. 
• If the body is deficient in vitamin D. 
• Decreased levels of estrogen hormone in women and testosterone hormone in men.
• If you do not exercise regularly, the bone density gradually decreases. As a result, the risk increases. 
• Smoking reduces the amount of testosterone in the male body and accelerates bone loss. 
• Aging. 
• Excess thyroid hormone increases the risk of osteoporosis.

 

Prevention of osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis is a silent killer, for which prevention is better than cure. In order to prevent osteoporosis we can do:

• Exercise regularly: Regular exercise increases bone density and strength. This increases the blood flow to the bones and keeps the joints active. Reduces bone loss by keeping the body in balance.
• Eat regular calcium and vitamin D foods: The main component of bones is calcium, vitamin D. Eat fish, meat, eggs, milk, and dairy foods regularly for calcium. 90% of the source of vitamin D is sunlight. So stay in the sun for 15 to 30 minutes every day, as well as eat marine fish. The bones will be good.
• Avoid smoking and drinking. Because it increases bone loss.
• Control diabetes, liver, kidney disease. 
• Eliminate slippery feeling in the bathroom to prevent bone fracture.
• Keep a dim light in the room at night. Do not walk in the dark.
• Do not carry excess weight.

 

Treatment of osteoporosis:

There are several treatments available for osteoporosis. However, the most satisfactory treatment involves a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Treatment always begins with a thorough investigation of the patient's history and an analysis of all possible factors that may cause the disease. Following this, the most appropriate method of treatment can be chosen.

Estrogen and hormone replacement:

It is prescribed for people who have relatively low levels of estrogen and androgens. By slightly changing the levels of sex hormones and bringing them back to normal levels, the risk of fractures can be reduced. Hormone replacement therapy is most effective in women who have stopped menstruating early. In addition to treating osteoporosis, it also helps maintain heart health, reduces hot feelings (sudden hot feelings during menopause), and maintains sexual characteristics. However, estrogen therapy can cause some vaginal bleeding or mastitis. Due to the known complications of using estrogen without progesterone, it is important that this type of treatment should be started only after consulting a gynecologist or endocrinologist.

Bisphosphonates:

These help to prevent bone fractures and are most effective for postmenopausal women. These can be taken orally as tablets or applied by injection into the bloodstream. However, there are a number of side effects that can be felt, including sore throat, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and abdominal pain.

Calcitonin:

Calcitonin is used primarily to reduce bone loss in the post-menopausal period. It is commonly applied to the nasal passages and may have the same effects as estrogen replacement therapy. Normally the prescribed dose needs to be sprayed between the two nostrils. It has been found to be the ideal treatment for those who have symptoms of acute spinal fractures. This method, in some cases, also showed a slight increase in bone mineral density. It has side effects that can include rashes, redness of the face, and gastrointestinal problems.

Sodium fluoride:

It helps to stimulate the cells that cause bone growth and helps in bone formation. In a study where given high levels of sodium fluoride, the bone mineral concentration in their spine was significantly increased. The rate of vertebral fractures was unchanged. This is an ideal treatment for those who have mild or moderate types of osteoporosis. Another encouraging aspect of this therapy is that it has almost no known side effects.

Calcium:

Calcium is one of the most commonly known minerals for bone strength. The body is unable to make its own calcium, but it is depleted quite regularly, making dietary intake of calcium essential. The incidence of calcium deficiency is increasing in humans and a common cause of increased incidence in the elderly is a tendency to develop an intolerance to lactose. The use of calcium supplements has shown stability in skeletal bone mass, and a recommended daily dose can reduce bone loss.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is needed to increase the absorption of calcium in the body. Supplements are recommended for people with inadequate vitamin D levels as it handles bone loss in the post-menopausal stage. It is important to note the level of caution as excessive use can lead to complications including nausea, hypercalcemia, and kidney stones.

Exercise:

Exercise can be extremely beneficial when done under someone’s supervision and after seeking a doctor’s approval. Exercises that focus on strength training are recommended for people with osteoporosis. These include squatting on the front of the foot, using push-ups, dumbbells, and resistance bands. Exercises help to increase strength and make the body more flexible, improve co-ordination, and also help to increase bone density.