OSTEOPOROSIS

What is Osteoporosis ?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which low bone mass and bone tissue damage in. In osteoporosis, decreased bone quality and quantity of bone density. Both of them are very determine bone strength, so patients with Osteoporosis, easily fractured bones

In the United States, 44 million people have very low bone density. Of this amount, approximately 55 % aged 55 years and older.

More women who suffer from osteoporosis than men, One in Two white women will have osteoporosis in their lives

How characteristic feature of patients with osteoporosis ?

for several decades, Osteoporosis does not cause any symptoms. However, if bone density is reduced, so that bones become collapsed or destroyed, there will be bone pain and deformity.

Causes and types of osteoporosis

osteoporosis have several different types with different causes

• Postmenopausal Osteoporosis:

the cause is due to estrogen deficiency (the main female hormone). These hormones help regulate the spread of calcium into the spine, Usually the symptoms begin to occur in women aged 51-57 years, but can appear faster or slower.

Not all women have the same ratio. White women and in the eastern region more easily suffer from this disease than black women

• Senilis Osteoporosis:

This disease is probably due to calcium deficiency related to the age factor and the imbalance between the rate of bone destruction and new bone formation. This disease usually occurs at the age above 70 years and two times more frequent in women. At least, 5 % of patients with osteoporosis, also suffer from senilis osteoporosis, which caused a medical condition or by drug. Excessive alcohol drinkers and smokers could exacerbate this situation

• Juvenil Idiopatik Osteoporosis :

This disease is a type of osteoporosis that the cause is unknown. This type of osteoporosis, occurs in children and adolescents who actually had higher levels of vitamins and normal hormone function.

How to prevent and treat osteoporosis ?

The main purpose of prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is to increase bone mass and strength. Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis by means setting some foods, quit smoking and drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, eating enough calcium and vitamin D, treatment by replacing estrogen in menopausal women taking the drug and which serves to reduce the process of bone thinning, such as aledronate, etidronate or calcitonin.

aledronate has several functions, to reduce the rate of bone absorption in women after menopause, increases bone mass in the spine and pelvis, and reducing the incidence of fractures.

so well absorbed , aledronate must be taken with a glass of water in the morning and within 30 minutes, do not eat or drink again.

aledronate can irritate the lining of the digestive tract, so that after drinking aledronate, should not lie down for at least 30 minutes. This drug also should not be given to those who have difficulty swallowing food or have a disease in the esophagus channel.

calcitonin is recommended given to people who suffer from vertebral fractures and accompanied by pain .This drug can be given in the form of an injection or nasal spray on.

Men who suffer from osteoporosis usually get extra calcium and vitamin D, especially if the results of the examination showed that his body can not absorb enough calcium in a number of distinguished sufficient.

Fractures due to osteoporosis should be treated. Hip fractures are usually treated with surgery. Wrist fractures usually wear a cast or if severe surgery. On the back bone loss accompanied by a very sore back pain, given pain medication, fitted supportive back brace and physical therapy.

see also : Calcium Supplement