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Understanding Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease characterized by the loss of bone minerals resulting in bone density that is less than "normal." For those of you who need visuals, osteoporosis is much playing the game "Jenga." You start off with a larger rectangular block of wood that is made up of smaller pieces of wood fit together tightly. The object of the game is to withdraw smaller pieces without having the large block of wood fall over or collapse. Osteoporosis is similar in that over time, minerals are removed from the bone until you have only a shell of the original bone left remaining. For the most part, the
outside of the bone still looks the same but the inside is made up of much less "mineralized bone." Removing minerals from bone makes the bone very brittle.
A Bone Density Test can determine the quantity of bone mineral lost. In addition to the Bone Density Test, other signs can indicate advancing osteoporosis. With bone loss, a certain degree of spinal compression can occur causing a patient to "shrink". Eventually your mid back can become more rounded (kyphotic). In addition, bone fractures are frequent, in particular the femur or "hip bone." Pain is present with fractures that can be confirmed with x-rays.
Causes of osteoporosis
- Genetic factors
- Aging
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hypoestrogenism
- Sedentarity
- Cortical Steroids
- Hyperparathyroidism
Genetic Factors - Generally speaking, women have a higher rate of osteoporosis. Amongst males however, Caucasians as compared to African born males have a higher rate osteoporosis. A family history of osteoporosis on the mother's side increases the risk of osteoporosis for the daughter.
Aging - Bone loss generally occurs at a certain age. In females, this coincides with the onset of menopause. In males, this occurs after the age of 70. Maximizing your bone density before these crucial time periods is an essential preventative component in minimizing the loss of bone when it does start to occur.
Nutritional Deficiencies - Most often, people recognize the need for calcium to minimize osteoporosis because it is a major component of your bone structure. Taking more calcium is critical but other factors are present. A good supply of vitamin D is necessary for the calcium to be absorbed into the body. Using vitamin D supplements as well as getting exposure to sun will help keep vitamin D levels up and calcium absorption up also. In addition to calcium, a healthy bone requires sufficient levels of magnesium, phosphorus, boron, zinc silica, copper and others. Make sure you are getting enough of these minerals.
Hypoestrogenism - The best example of this is menopause. Women will have a sudden decrease in estrogen production during their menopausal years. Unfortunately, the cells which produce bone, called osteoblasts, are stimulated by estrogen. A drop in estrogen decreases osteoblast activity. Other causes of hypoestrogenism are anorexia nervosa, amenorrhea, surgical castration and adrenal disorders to name a few.
Sedentarity - Regular exercise is a necessity to "stress" the bones allowing them to keep their normal density. An extreme example of sedentarity is the astronauts who have been in space a long time. They develop a degree of osteoporosis because the weightless environment in space does not allow the bones to be stressed properly. The key here is to stay active throughout your lifetime.
Cortical Steroids - Long-term cortical steroid use found in patients with arthritis and immune suppression treatment can also cause osteoporosis. Many arthritic sufferers, especially geriatric patients, have been prescribed steroids. However, nobody explains to them the negative effect these drugs have on bone density. Patients suffering from conditions such as diverticulitis, in which the hyperactive immune system is treated with cortical steroids also increases their chance of suffering from osteoporosis. Recommended care for these patients should include utilizing other alternative treatments which do not promote osteoporosis.
Hyperparathyroidism - unless you have a parathyroid adenoma, this cause should not concern you. The tumor increases parathyroid hormone levels which stimulate osteoclast cells to "break down" bone.
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