The Hidden Truth of Osteoporosis Exposed

Osteoporosis is a condition that is characterized byabsorb calcium. A few minutes in the sun everyday
the loss of the normal density of bone, resulting inwill help. It is recommended that you get 400 IU of
fragile bones, leading to abnormally porous bone thatVitamin D per day if you are under 70 years of age
is compressible much like a sponge, rather than asand 600 IU if you are over 70.
dense like a brick. This disorder of the skeletal3. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. Any type of Weight
system weakens the bones that cause an increase inbearing exercise, like walking, jogging, playing tennis
the risk bones breaking or fracturing.or dancing will help to prevent bone loss. The stress
The condition can exist for long time, without anythat is placed on the bones during exercise will
symptoms. because there are no symptoms unless aactually help to stimulate your bone to increase the
bone fractures. Some of the osteoporosis fracturesdensity. The exercise will also help to improve your
may not be detected until years later and patientsmuscle strength. It is suggested to exercise for 30
may not even be aware they have osteoporosis untilminutes each day.
they experience a painful fracture. Once the fracture4. There are some types of medications that may
happens, the symptoms are related to the locationincrease the risk for developing osteoporosis. Some
of the fractures.of these include: steroids, anti-seizure medications,
Osteoporosis is a considered to be a silent disease.some of the cancer drugs and long term use of birth
You are not aware that a problem exists untilcontrol. If you have a thyroid disorder and take too
something happens, like a bone fracturing for nomuch of your thyroid medication, it can cause your
apparent reason. The truth is that as you age, yourthyroid gland to become overactive and stimulate
bones are actually deteriorating. It is estimated thatyour bones to break down faster. Only your doctor
there are literally millions of people, mostly women,can suggest the proper changes in your medications.
who have osteoporosis. The bones in the body are5. Do you smoke? Do you drink a lot of carbonated
actually living tissue and they constantly breakingbeverages or consume excessive amounts of
down and rebuilding. As you become older, in thealcohol? These can increase you risk for developing
40-50 age range, the process of rebuilding the boneosteoporosis, so you should by all means consider
cells does not keep up with the breaking down andeither stopping or at least reduce these.
this results in a loss of bone density.If you have any concerns that you may have
Without any obvious symptoms, the actual boneOsteoporosis, talk to your doctor about having a
density deteriorates, but this occurs at a verybone density scan. The test is a non-invasive
gradual rate and the condition usually goesprocedure and gives your doctor an accurate
undetected until there is a major break or fracture ofmeasurement of your bone density. If you are
a bone. The fracture happens because the bones arepre-osteoporosis or have osteoporosis, your doctor
losing too calcium.will decide the best treatment plan for you.
As you get older the deterioration of the bones getsIf you actually have osteoporosis, then you need to
worse. The outer surface or shell of your bonescarefully follow the treatment plan of your doctor
becomes weakened and the inner part of the bonesand include both the dietary and exercise
can develop holes. As the condition becomes worse,recommendations made.
it is more difficult to treat, but there are medicationsMaintaining good health practices will help you in both
that can help to slow down the deterioration andthe prevention and treatment of any problems. It is
possibly even reverse the process.important to remember that both your diet and
There is no actual cure for Osteoporosis but it isexercise will have a significant role in preventing this
controllable. The use of new medications can be verydisease.
effective for many of the people who have theMost Women desire to live long, healthy and active
condition. One of the most important things you canlives and the prevention and early treatment of
do involves having a bone density test. This test willosteoporosis will help you.
provide your doctor with an overall picture of yourAlmost all Osteoporosis bone fractures are
bones. You should also consider proper good nutrition,responsible for a considerable amount of pain, a
by eating foods that are rich in both Calcium anddecrease in the quality of life, missed days from
Vitamin D, and finally, increase your level of exercisework and disability. Most patients who suffer from a
activity. All of these things will help you maintain thehip fracture will require some type of long-term care.
strength of your bones and help lower your chancesThe elderly patients will often develop pneumonia and
of developing Osteoporosis.in some cases blood clots in veins in their legs and
Some of the risk factors of developing Osteoporosisthese clots can become dislodged and travel to the
cannot be modified, such as your family history,lungs causing a pulmonary embolism from the
having a small body frame, your racial or ethnicprolonged bed rest after the hip fracture.
makeup, if you have had surgery to remove yourIt is a sad fact that some women who have a hip
ovaries and if you have reached menopause. Otherfracture will die in the subsequent year from
contributing factors can be changed to help preventcomplications as an indirect result of the fracture.
or even delay the onset of the condition.Once a person has experienced a spinal fracture due
What can you do to help delay the condition?to osteoporosis, he or she is also at a very high risk
Eat foods that are diet in calcium during your life.of having another similar type of fracture in the near
1. Take a calcium supplement. It is recommended thatfuture. Women who are postmenopausal and
if you are over 50, you need about 1200mg dailyexperience a vertebral fracture will likely experience a
between your diet and a supplement.new vertebral fracture of bone sometime in the
2. Vitamin D is required for your body to properlyfollowing year.