Osteoporosis Treatment

Osteoporosis can be described as a condition, mainly affecting elderly people, in which a person’s bones become so brittle and weak that the slightest pressure on them could cause them to crack and break. Hence, people suffering from osteoporosis could suffer from a fracture just by coughing or bending over. While there is no real cure for this condition, there are certain osteoporosis treatment options that slow down the process of bone loss, allowing people to main their bone mass to some extent.

The first step is for people to take the right osteoporosis treatment medications. Some of the medicines that are usually prescribed as a part of osteoporosis treatment guidelines include Teriparatide, Calcitonin, Raloxifene and Bisphosphonates.

Contrary to what many people believe, this condition can also affect men and bisphosphonates is the most effective medication in osteoporosis treatment for men; the drug that should be avoided by men is Raloxifene. Apart from medication, osteoporosis treatment in men and women could also include physical therapy or hormone therapy.

Osteoporosis treatment guidelines not only include medication and therapy; lifestyle changes play a very important role in the management of the condition. People who are suffering from the condition or are even prone to it should make sure that they maintain the right posture at all times. It is also best for people wear low-heeled shoes, which keep them from falling down. Following the right diet and getting adequate amounts of rest and exercise are also very important when it comes to osteoporosis management.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

In the early stages of the disease, there may be no osteoporosis symptoms in women and men. However, as the condition progresses, the osteoporosis symptoms and signs may show up. Some of these symptoms may be so severe; they can keep a person from performing their daily tasks properly. Given below are some of the most common osteoporosis symptoms in men and women:

Severe back pain
Loss of height
Stooped posture
Tendency to fracture easily, especially in the hip, wrist and spine area

Unfortunately, not a lot of people recognize the osteoporosis symptoms like pain and height loss. Therefore, this condition is not really identified till it reaches an advanced stage. In order to detect this condition as quickly as possible, the National Osteoporosis Foundation advises people to go in for a bone density test regularly, after the age of 50. This is all the more important for people who are taking certain medicines, such as anti-seizure drugs, prednisone, aromatase inhibitors, and so on. Menopausal women should also get regular tests done.

Though not a lot of people are aware of the fact, at times, osteoporosis symptoms in children and teenagers may also be evident. This is known as juvenile osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

Though this condition can affect people of both genders, studies indicate that osteoporosis risk factors in women are considerably higher, as compared to men. In fact, women are twice more likely to develop osteoporosis than men are. However, there are certain dietary and lifestyle habits that increase the osteoporosis risk factors in men and women too. Some of these include:

Drinking more than the daily recommended amount of alcohol each day
Excessive exposure to tobacco, either in the form of smoking cigarettes, or even as a passive smoker
Family history of osteoporosis, where parents or siblings are also suffering from this condition
Having a frame size that is too thin
Leading a sedentary lifestyle, without getting an adequate amount of physical activity. There are some activities that can reduce the chances of developing osteoporosis, which include walking, running and dancing.
Low intake of calcium, because of following a poor diet
Suffering from certain eating disorders, which could include bulimia or anorexia nervosa
Taking certain medication such as corticosteroids, or the ones that are prescribed in the treatment of asthma, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis

Many people do not even realize that they are at a very high risk of developing osteoporosis. Fortunately, it is possible for them to get access to an online osteoporosis risk factors calculator, which assesses the overall health of their bones.

Osteoporosis Exercises

It is believed that people can reduce their risks for developing osteoporosis by following an exercise routine, where they engage in at least 30 minutes of exercises, around 5 times a week. Some of the most beneficial osteoporosis exercises for the elderly include low impact exercises like walking and jogging. One of the most beneficial osteoporosis exercises for hips includes the heel lift and jump. Similarly, one of the most helpful osteoporosis exercises for spine is the spine strengthener.

However, at the same time there are certain osteoporosis exercises to avoid, as they could put an undue amount of stress on the bones, causing them to crack. Osteoporosis exercises to avoid mainly include high impact exercises, like running, jumping and lifting weights. Activities where people may need to bend over should also be strictly avoided.

There are several people who choose for follow certain osteoporosis exercises for spine that are a part of yoga. Those suffering from osteoporosis must consult a doctor before trying to practice yoga. This is because; yoga can lead to serious injuries if it is practiced incorrectly. Therefore, all people need to make sure that they learn the right yoga poses, from well qualified instructors, who supervise practice sessions, till some level of mastery is achieved.

Causes of Osteoporosis

Although the exact causes of osteoporosis are still not clear, there are several theories. Health experts also claim that the causes of osteoporosis in men and women may vary a bit. It is believed that one of the most common causes of osteoporosis in men is low testosterone. For good bone health, men require estrogen as well as testosterone and a deficiency of testosterone could affect the health and density of the bones. One of the most common causes of osteoporosis in women is the lack of adequate estrogen. This usually occurs in women who stop menstruating due to various factors. Therefore the risk of osteoporosis increases in women, who have reached menopause.

Many parents are shocked to learn that their children can develop osteoarthritis and ask their doctors what the possible causes of osteoporosis in children could be. Some of the most common causes of osteoporosis in teenagers and children are other medical conditions, which are usually referred to, as secondary causes. Given below are some of the most common secondary causes of osteoporosis in children and teenagers:

Anorexia
Cushing’s syndrome
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism
Juvenile arthritis
Kidney diseases

Submitted on January 16, 2014