Osteoporosis prevention and treatments can be successful

Friday, April 06, 2007

Osteoporosis: a metabolic disorder of the Human skeleton associated with the marked reduction in bone quality and an abnormal decrease in Bone mass placing the patient at high-risk of Bone fractures.

Approximately 15% of women between 50 – 65 years of age suffer from osteoporosis, while 70% of women older than 65 years are afflicted by this disease. Nationwide, the number of osteoporosis-related fractures is steadily increasing, and according to calculations from the International Association of Osteoporosis that number is expected to increase to 60% within the next 30 years. One out of every two patients, who experience a hip fracture, becomes partially or fully disabled. The range of motion in 50% of patients after an osteoporosis bone fracture is never restored. In fact, the fracture may be so severe that, statistically 10-20% of elderly patients die during the first year after a hip fracture. All bones of the Human skeleton are susceptible to osteoporosis; however, the femoral bone (found in the neck), the spine and the radial bones in the wrist are likely targets for the onset of osteoporosis.

In a debilitated condition, osteoporosis bone fractures are developed even with minimum injury (often as a result of a fall). Bone mass levels reach their peak value around 20 – 30 years of age of a healthy adult, and then gradually decrease. The maximum Bone mass value is determined, to a large degree by genetic factors. A reasonable diet with an adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D and regular physical activity will help maximize the peak Bone mass value. Naturally, the higher the Bone mass peak value, the lower the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Women suffer osteoporosis bone fractures 4 times more frequently than men. Why?

The lifetime of women is greater than in the men;
Women are more prone to lose Bone mass as a result of improper diet;
The risk of women osteoporosis grows:
- With early menopause (at around the age of 40 years);
- If ovaries are removed;
- With a disrupted menstrual cycle due to hormonal imbalance.

Men may suffer from osteoporosis:

After 70 years of age;
In certain endocrine conditions during puberty;
As a result of the smoking and alcohol abuse.

Osteoporosis, in both man and women, may develop as a complication of the various diseases and conditions, for example:

Acute limitation of physical activity as the result of arthritis, heart, kidneys, lungs and other conditions.
Prolonged (greater than 6 months) treatment with corticosteroids for bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other conditions.
Endocrine diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.
Chronic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract:enterocolitis, dysbacteriosis or dysbiosis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, malabsorption and other related disorders.
Kidney disorders which lead to chronic renal insufficiency, especially those on hemodialysis and after kidney transplantation.
Intolerance to dairy products.
Individuals genetically predisposed to osteoporosis are at increased risk of contracting this disease.

Each year, Osteoporosis, an acute thinning of the bones, is responsible for thousands of Bone fractures. Osteoporosis (also known as “Brittle bone Disease”) is a widespread bones disorder, which predominantly strikes women in their middle age and beyond. It is known to cause such symptoms as severe spinal pain, Bone fractures caused by minimal injury, and also, the deformation of the vertebrae. Skeletal bones are constantly being regenerated during the course of our entire lives. Old bone material is destroyed and is moved away as the body forms new bone in its place. Around and the time women enter their middle age and especially later in life, the significant reduction in the formation of reproductive hormones accelerates the body’s disposal of old bone material without increasing the corresponding processes responsible for the restoration of the bone. As a result, the bone becomes more brittle and experiences a scarcity of mineral substances such as calcium, magnesium and phosphate, which are essential in providing structural strength and hardness to the bones. It is because of this loss of mineral substances that Bone fractures become much more likely to occur.

Unfortunately, a deficiency in the production of reproductive hormones is not the only cause of Brittle bone Disease. The regular use of steroid preparations (for example, with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus Erythematosus or other inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses), a surplus of thyroxin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland and produced by excessive use of certain medicines, can also lead to the thinning of the bones. Furthermore, there is a hereditary predisposition to Osteoporosis, which becomes pronounced at an elderly age.

If any of the factors enumerated above relate to you, then you may be high risk for developing Osteoporosis. For those who are at high risk of contracting Osteoporosis it may be beneficial to learn how you may be able to prevent it. In the next article, you can learn about the important role that nutrition plays in the strengthening of the bone structure and the prevention of Bone fractures.

Methods Used to Diagnose Osteoporosis:

Only DEXA bone densitometry (DEXA Scan) makes it possible to determine the mineral density of bone tissue and the degree of risk of osteoporosis fractures. DEXA Scan is the only reliable noninvasive (non-contact) method available. DEXA Bone densitometry assists in measuring the bone strength, while bone X-rays make it possible to reveal the onset of osteoporosis only when losses of bone mass has reached or exceed more than 20% loss. A DEXA Scan is recommended for all adults over the age of 50, particularly those who have identified one or more of the several risk factors discussed above.

Good news: osteoporosis prevention and treatments can be successful especially when diagnosed early.

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