What is osteoporosis and how to know it
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone part of the body in which there is a decrease in bone mass due to the reduction of the mineral and organic part of the bone. In this disease, the bones become brittle and fragile due to hormonal changes due to aging. Women are most affected in the postmenstrual period, when the production of the female sex hormone estrogen stops.
As bone is made up of bone cells and bone substances connected by collagen fibers into a network, and in that network are the mineral compounds of phosphorus and calcium that give strength. As we age, the hormones that are responsible for the breakdown of minerals in the bone stop being produced and weakening or disruption of the bone microstructure occurs. This microstructure disorder causes fractures that are not accompanied by acute but by chronic pain.
Osteoporosis will lead to bone fractures even with additional physical exertion or falls. Fractures most commonly occur in the area of the hips, spine, thigh bones, or forearms. Before fractures, it is possible to determine by diagnostic tests such as densitometry whether it is a reduced bone density that will lead to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis and what are the causes
Although osteoporosis the disease of old age, especially women in the postmenstrual period, actually begins to lose bone mass within the bones as early as the thirties of human life. A person’s genetics play a big role in how much they will manifest and when, and whether osteoporosis will occur at all and to what intensity. Genetics is not the only cause, although the biggest cause, daily diet, physical activity, hormonal cycles, smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol, and low intake of calcium and vitamin D necessary for calcium breakdown are also causes of this disease.
However, in addition to the above, women are most affected due to the cessation of estrogen production since hormones regulate bone mineralization, Caucasians are more affected than other races, with age the risk is higher, but dementia is also affected.
Some other diseases can lead to osteoporosis such as rheumatoid arthritis, gonadal disorders, thyroid dysfunction, kidney disease, gastric surgery after cancer, bone marrow disease, and connective tissue disease. The use of certain drugs such as cytostatics in chemotherapy or overdoses of thyroid hormones can also affect bone demineralization.
Treatment of osteoporosis
In order to osteoporosis medication, a diagnosis must first be made. The most reliable diagnostic procedure is densitometry, which is an X-ray of bones with low levels of radiation, but sufficient to see bone density. In old age it is necessary to do it every year up to two regular checkups.
Natural treatment without the use of drugs certainly involves a change in diet with increased intake of minerals calcium, phosphorus and mandatory vitamin D which helps in the breakdown of minerals. Physical activity in accordance with the possibilities and general health will also help, as well as avoiding falls and maximum caution to avoid falls that could cause fractures.
Treatment of osteoporosis with pharmaceutical drugs usually involves replacement of hormones needed to regulate bone mineralization. These drugs aim to increase bone mass. However, even with medication, you need to get enough calcium and vitamin D through food, and you can do this with foods such as kale, dried apricots, canned sardines, dried figs, beets, milk and dairy products. Vitamin D is also obtained from the sun, but be careful not to expose yourself to the sun when UV radiation is at its highest and protect your skin. Plan your stay in the sun in the morning and late afternoon when the sun rises and sets.
source: mayoclinic
MORE HEALTH NEWS: Chlamydial infection – what is chlamydia and how it is treated