What You Need to Know About Osteoporosis

Home

What do you think of when you hear the word osteoporosis? Perhaps an old, grey-haired woman slowly walking along with a walker stooped over with difficulty maintaining balance and subject to a hip-fracturing fall at any moment? Or, perhaps, you may see it as an inevitable disease that is part of growing old? Well, if so, this is not entirely true.

Yes, osteoporosis has become a disease that is almost synonymous with aging, being female and with insufficient vitamins to keep the bones healthy. But the actual disease process starts many years in advance. And, the disease also occurs in men. Today, we have the knowledge and tools, to prevent the onset of this life robbing disease, if we start in time.

What are the facts regarding this illness and how can we avoid it? Please consider the following information.

Facts about Osteoporosis

As stated previously, osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented. But due to dietary and lifestyle deficiencies, many people think that is an inevitable part of growing old. According to an Australian study, it is predicted that by the year 2020, one of three hospital beds will be occupied by women with fractures. That is really disturbing since we have resources available to change those stats.

But, what exactly is the disease? Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone that can lead to fragile, breaking bones. Also, insufficient intake of essential nutrients and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin D and phosphate, contribute to the disease. Calcium is stored in the bone where it can be used by the body as needed. If the dietary intake of calcium is insufficient, bones become weak and break. (This can develop over a period of years). So, basically, osteoporosis occurs then there is an imbalance between new bone formation, essential minerals and the resorption of old bones.

Fluctuating levels of hormones and deficiencies predispose women to this disease. During menopause estrogen wanes. In men, androgen levels drop. Women are at greater risk due to smaller structure. Cigarette smoking and sedentary lifestyle puts one at risk. Most of these factors are modifiable.

Another Australian report shows that the disease is more prevalent than high cholesterol, allergies or the common cold. Its management costs more than diabetes or asthma related costs. And, surprisingly, the death rate is higher in women from hip fractures is greater than the incidence of all female cancers combined. That is some number for a disease that can be prevented.

How to protect yourself

The best defense against this disease is to build peak bone mass in the first three decades of life through exercise and adequate calcium intake, exercise and vitamin D intake, through supplementation or preferably from the sun. (Request your MD to do blood levels). The risk of suffering from osteoporosis can also be greatly reduced by discontinuing smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine beverage.

Participating in any group of activities is another great idea to present onset and can't be stressed enough for many reasons: not only physical but for socialization and emotional health.

Sherl Wilsher is a nurse who is dedicated to writing about natural health and beauty topics. As the numbers of folks is growing who are tired of the adverse effects of chemicals, preservatives and drugs on health, these individuals are looking for sources of reliable information in educating themselves on important health topics.

2012-01-29