Osteoporosis is a significant health problem that affects more than 25 millionwomen in the United States and potentially 200 million worldwide. This diseaseis characterized by diminishing the structure of the skeleton (particular the”spongy” bone). This results in an increased risk of fracture.
Osteoporosisdevelops silently over a period of years, eventually progressing to a pointwhere a fracture can easily occur causing pain and disability. This disease ischaracterized by low bone mass and structural worsening of your bones, leadingto bone fragility. There is an increased chances of damaging the hip, spine, andwrist . Twenty-five million Americans are affected by Osteoporosis, making it a majorpublic health problem.
80% of those affected by osteoporosis are women. Oneout of every two women and one in five men have an Osteoporosis-related fracture. By age 75, one third of all men will be affected by osteoporosis. Whileosteoporosis is often thought of as an older person’s disease, it can strike atany age. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1. 5 million fractures annually,including: -more than 300,000 hip fractures -500,000 vertebral fractures -200,000 wrist fracturesCertain some people are more likely to develop Osteoporosis than others.
Thesefactors can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis. -A family history of fractures in elderly women -Use of certain medications -Chronically low calcium intake -Thin and/or small bones -An inactive lifestyle -Cigarette smoking -Excessive use of alcohol -Advanced ageWomen have approximately 10 to 25 percent less total bone mass at maturity thanmen, making them more open to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is often called the”silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not knowthat they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a suddenstrain, bump, or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse. Once yourvertebrae collapses you would feel it in the form of severe back pain, loss ofheight, stooped posture or dowager’s hump. Building strong bones, especially before the age of 35, can be the best defenseagainst developing osteoporosis, and a healthy lifestyle can be criticallyimportant for keeping bones strong.
So to help prevent osteoporosis: -Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium -Exercise regularly, especially weight-bearing activities -Don’t smoke -Limit alcohol intakeAlthough there is no cure for Osteoporosis, there are treatments available tohelp stop further bone loss and fractures. Estrogen replacement therapy is themost popular treatment for osteoporosis. Studies have shown that estrogen canprevent the loss of bone mass in women. Another treatment used by both womenand men for Osteoporosis is Calcitonin.
This drug slows bone breakdown and alsocan reduce the pain. Medical experts agree that Osteoporosis is highlypreventable. Specialized tests called bone density tests can measure bonedensity in various sites of the body. With the information obtained from thesebone mass measurements, physicians can assess an individual’s bone density andpredict the likelihood of fractures. However commitment to Osteoporosisresearch must be significantly increased. It is reasonable to say that withincreased research, the future for definitive treatment and prevention ofosteoporosis is very bright.
Several medications like vitamin D are currentlyunder investigation and may someday be used as a better treatment or even a curefor osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated. This is a diseasein which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented ,osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. Millions of peopleall over the world are at risk. While women are five times more likely than mento develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis.
Building strongbones, especially before the age of 35, can be the best defense againstdeveloping osteoporosis, and a healthy lifestyle can be critically important forkeeping bones strong. There are some things you can do to make sure you wont getosteoporosis like exercise and a good diet.Category: Science
