Osteoperosis

Osteoperosis is a disease where your bone mass is low, and there is a decline of bone tissue.

Bones become very brittle, and you have an increased risk of bone fracture. The areas that are most sensitive to the fractures are the hips, spine, and wrist. This bone disease can happen in both men and women. If you take measures at a younger age, at least by your 30's and 40's, you can cut way back on the risk for getting it.

Osteoperosis is more common in women then men, and can happen at any age. Bone fractures are very costly in the US every year, and it is estimated that the total cost for fracture treatments are around 14 billion.



Bones are a tissue which is a living growing thing. Collagen is a protein of the bone that provides bone health along with calcium. Calcium is a mineral that hardens the bone structure frame, and is essential to keeping good bone health. Not only is calcium essential in bones, but also in your teeth.

As you go throughout life, old bone goes away called resorption. New bone always should form and add to your skeleton, which is referred to as the formation. Bone formation happens a lot during the growing years in childhood and the teenage years. Your formation of bone moves much quicker then the resorption process until you've reached your bone mass entirely, usually around the earlier 30's.

Women lose bone mass quicker after the menopausal periods. Men, will have bone loss when the resorption process is occuring rapidly and the replacement, very slowly. You are more at risk if you never did reach bone mass during your younger years before age 30.

Risks for osteoperosis

Women have a greater chance for this bone disease then do men.

The older you are, the quicker you lose bone mass.

Your height enters into the equation if you are small and thin-boned.

Race plays a role. Caucasian and Asian women have a higher risk then African American or Hispanic women.

Genetics can play a big role. If it runs in your bloodline, your chances of getting this bone disorder are very high.

Other factors that play a big role are women that have had a hysterectomy, have had Anorexia Nervosa, diets too low in essential vitamins like vitamin D, which is a big one. Use of steroids can bring on bone loss, along with cigarette smoking, a sedentary lifestyle habit, and too much alcohol.

Calcium is important in your daily regime. Researchers have discovered a long time ago, that a lack of calcium is sure to bring on a loss of bone mass more than anything else. A good calcium vitamin starting in your 30s is a must for prevention.

What calcium you need in your body is:

From age 30 take 1000 MG a day.

Ages 50 to over 70 need 1200 MG at least.

Why take Vitamin D?

Vitamin D does help you with calcium absorption in your bones. Did you realize it was made through your skin out in the sun? If you are not out in the sun enough, you should take at least 500 up to 800 IU a day. Large doses over this amount are definitely not needed and can actually harm the kidneys if overdone beyond the 800 IU a day.

Exercise

Your bone is a living tissue in your body as I mentioned at the beginning, just the way your muscle is. Any exercise that is weight bearing helps your bones because you are working right against gravity. Walking counts, along with running, lifting weights.

Symptoms indicating osteoperosis

Osteoperosis is often not noticed. Many persons don't realize they have this disease until a fall or bump of the smallest impact causes a big fracture. Your spine may have a collapsed vertebra that you may not realize, but usually brings on a lot of back pains.

Diagnosing the problem

After a medical exam by the doctor,a bone density test is typically done to measure bone mass. This tells if your bone mass is normal or abnormal. This is called a DXA scan. It is a big help in treating the problem, and get treatments started.

Treatment

A good doctor will give you a well-rounded treatment plan that should include the right diet, vitamins and minerals containing D, and a medication to slow the loss of bone mass such as Actonel.

Fall prevention is very important. When outdoors, wear shoes that have rubber soles for good traction. A can or walker is not a bad idea if unsteady on your feet. Use caution when walking on slippery floors or sidewalks, and indoors keep rooms free of clutter. Be sure that rugs and carpets are not slippery on your floor, and if you have stairways that they are well lit. Keep a telephone nearby so you don;t have to run and get it, risking a bad fall.

Below is a video on osteoperosis. Please watch this short clip for further education.