The Science Of Osteoporosis

Here are the staggering statistics about osteoporosis: did you know that osteoporosis can happen at any age? Although it is more common in older adults, in particular, women, it can appear in any age group. Approximately fourteen million Americans are at risk for having osteoporosis--sixty-eight percent are women.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can occur when you lose too much bone, make very little bone, or a combination. This disease can affect men and women; it causes the bone to become weak and as a result, it breaks from a minor fall. In a more serious case scenario, coughing or sneezing can make the bones become weak. Fractures as a result of osteoporosis occur mainly in the hips, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis becomes more prevalent as age progresses.

Symptoms Of Osteoporosis 

The majority of people suffering from osteoporosis are asymptomatic, especially when the disease is in the early stages. When the disease progresses, the bone has already become weak. Here are some of the symptoms of osteoporosis:

• Demonstrating stooped-over posture 
• Decreased height
• Pain in the back due to collapsed or fractured vertebrae

Causes of Osteoporosis 

The bones in our bodies are broken down on a regular basis and builds up and create new bone. In contrast, people suffering from osteoporosis, their bone mass is decreased at a significant rate. With a lack of calcium, it is impossible for a person to rebuild new bone mass. Although that is true, the majority of people may think that a low-calcium diet may be the cause of osteoporosis, this is not the lone factor. There are other risk factors as well. Here are some of the other risk factors:

• Race
• Age
• Lifestyle choices 
• Current and past medical conditions 
• Family history 

One of the most common complications from osteoporosis are bone fractures, especially from the hip or spine. Hip fractures can result in disability and in some cases, death, especially in the elderly. There are some circumstances in which spine fractures can happen if a person has not suffered a fall.

Osteoporosis Treatments 

If the fracture risk is not high, then you may not need any medication but may get advice on exercising and increasing the calcium intake to decrease the risk of fractures from osteoporosis.

There are three basic factors that should be considered when trying to maintain strong bones:

• Getting a substantial amount of calcium in the diet (very important for building new bone)
• Getting a substantial amount of Vitamin D in the diet (improves the ability for the body to absorb calcium)
• Getting regular exercise 

Excellent sources of calcium includes:

• Calcium-fortified cereals
• Calcium-fortified orange juice 
• Soy products, such as tofu 
• Dark leafy green vegetables 
• Low-fat dairy products (200-300 mg per serving)
• Vitamin D

Exercising is one of the most beneficial treatments for the prevention of osteoporosis at any age because it helps buil strong bones and reduces bone loss. In addition to reducing bone loss, exercising will permit you to keep muscle strength, coordination, and balance, which helps prevent falls and related fractures. Weight-bearing exercises, as in walking and stair-climbing, can strengthen the bones in the legs, hips, and the lower spine.

Osteoporosis has been referred to as the "silent disease," due to the fact that there are a few obvious symptoms of this progressive bone disease until a substantial amount of damage has occured. The biggest osteoporosis risk is falling and breaking a bone, which can cause pain, suffering, depression, and social withdrawal, just to name a few. Prevention of fractures is imperative to preserving your life qualities.

Do you or a loved one suffering from osteoporosis and how are you coping with it? Please feel free to share your thoughts and feedback in the Comments box.