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

BASIC THEORY OF CALCIUM

Whether Calcium is it?

Calcium is the most organic substances contained in the human body. Normally, calcium content is 1.5 % to 2.2% of body weight, this is around 700 grams to 1400 grams. Approximately 99 % of calcium is contained in bones and teeth , the rest scattered in the blood vessels. Calcium scattered inside and outside the cells throughout the body, and influential in many aspects of life.

Whether the Function of Calcium for the Body?

Calcium is the regulatory body of life activity and assist in the physiological function of human growth , from children to old age. Calcium is an important element that should not be less to ensure a healthy body and longevity.

Wallach doctor 's opinion, the function of calcium is

1. Structural as stores in the skeleton
2. Electrophysiological - carries charge during an action potential across membranes
3. Intracellular regulator, 
4. As a cofactor for extracellular enzymes and regulatory proteins.

What Happens when the Body Lacks Calcium ?

Calcium deficiency can cause symptoms such as :

• In pregnancy : back pain, tension, weakness, nausea, and insomnia
• Period to give breast milk : toothache, back pain, osteoporosis and brittle bones
• Infancy : impaired growth, decreased immunity, easily hurt, poor bone growth, tooth decay and eye minus
• Adult : muscle cramps, insomnia, abnormal heart beats, and back pain

However, the most dangerous of calcium deficiency is osteoporosis, which is the condition of porous bone. According to WHO, osteoporosis is the second killer disease, after a blood vessel disease. It is often referred to as the silent killer.

If  we have osteoporosis, then more than 100 kinds of diseases are ready to get into our bodies, such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes,  etc. Therefore, it is important to keep the calcium in our body needs

Who is more prone to calcium deficiency ?

There are three groups of people which is prone to calcium deficiency

1. Baby
2. Pregnant women
3. Old men 

In infancy, the main source of calcium is from brest milk. After that, then he needs to get a supply of calcium supplement. Calcium deficiency in infancy or children, would lead to impaired bone growth.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers also need a calcium supplement , this is associated with calcium from the mother's body that  needed by baby. If not given a calcium supplement intake, the body will be supplied calcium sourced from maternal spine from the mother. As a result , after giving birth , back pain symptoms, even if at times like this too much calcium is released, then in old age tend to have osteoporosis.

Function decreased absorption of calcium in the elderly

How Much Calcium is Needed Every Day ?

Calcium needs of each person is different, depending on gender, age, and  body condition. Pregnant women need more calcium per day. Growing children is also different.

Children need calcium around 500-800 mg. Adults every day needs about 1000 - 1300 mg of calcium. Pregnant and lactating women need about 1500 - 2000 mg calcium

Calcium Source

There are many ways in which to get the calcium intake .Here is the source of calcium that can be obtained each day

• Milk

Drinking milk is the easiest way to get calcium every day, but if you have a problem with drinking milk, fear of fat, you can choose low - fat milk or drinking soy milk

• Snack

There are so many snacks contain high calcium, such as yogurt, pudding, or other desserts

• Main Meal

Extra cheese in the main food can also be a source of calcium. For example, mozzarella cheese, ricotta, and parmesan, which is easily added to a main meal such as pasta . Start your day by adding the cheese in your omelets or scrambled eggs.

• Green Food

Green leafy vegetables are good sources of calcium, but the problem is the calcium in vegetables is not too readily absorbed than milk.Try to combine your vegetable intake by combining spinach or lettuce

• Calcium Supplement

This is the easiest way to get enough calcium every day for your body, if you feel the food you choose will be less calcium intake. At the drug store, there are so many calcium supplement with a wide range of variation. But, you should be able to choose a suitable calcium supplement for your needs.

Food Sources of Calcium:

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Dairy Foods	Serving	calcium (mg)
Milk, with added calcium	1 cup	430
Milk, whole, 2%, 1% skim	1 cup	300
Milk, evaporated	1/2 cup	367
Cheese, hard	50 gm	360 (average)*
Processed cheese spread	4 Tbsp	348
Cheese, processed slices	50 gm	276
Cottage cheese, 1 or 2%	2 cups	310
Cottage cheese, <0.1%	2 cups	156
Yogurt, plain	3/4 cup	290 (average)*
Yogurt, fruit bottom	3/4 cup	233 (average)*
Frozen yogurt, soft serve	1 cup	218
Ice cream	1 cup	194
*calcium content varies, check label
Beans and Bean Products	Serving	calcium (mg)
Tofu, medium firm or firm, made with calcium sulphate	150 gm	347
Tofu, firm, made with calcium sulphate and magnesium chloride	150 gm	234
White beans	3/4 cup	119
Navy beans	3/4 cup	93
Black turtle beans	3/4 cup	75
Pinto beans, chickpeas	3/4 cup	58
Nuts and Seeds	Portion	calcium (mg)
Tahini (sesame seed butter)	2 Tbsp	130
Almonds, dry roast	1/4 cup	93
Almond butter	2 Tbsp	88
Sesame seed kernels, dried	1/4 cup	50
Meats, Fish, and Poultry	Serving	calcium (mg)
Sardines, Atlantic, canned with bones	75 gm	286
Sardines, Pacific, canned with bones	75 gm	180
Salmon, canned with bones	75 gm	208
Grains	Serving	calcium (mg)
Bannock	1 med	84
Oats, instant, regular, no sugar added	1 pouch	165
Non Dairy Drinks	Serving	calcium (mg)
Fortified rice or soy beverage	1 cup	319**
Orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D	1/2 cup	165
Regular soy beverage	1 cup	110

**added calcium sometimes settles at the bottom of the container; shake well before drinking

Vegetables (all measures for cooked vegetables)	Serving	calcium (mg)
Turnip greens	1/2 cup	104
Chinese cabbage/bok choy	1/2 cup	84
Okra, frozen	1/2 cup	65
Mustard greens	1/2 cup	55
Kale	1/2 cup	49
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	1/2 cup	46
Rutabaga	1/2 cup	43
Broccoli	1/2 cup	33
Fruit	Serving	calcium (mg)
Orange	1 med	52
Other	Serving	calcium (mg)
Brown sugar	1 cup	198
Blackstrap molasses	1 Tbsp	179
Regular molasses	1 Tbsp	44
Asian Foods	Serving	calcium (mg)
Dried fish, smelt	35 gm	560
Soy bean curd slab	100 gm	308
Daylily flower	100 gm	303
Sea cucumber, fresh	100 gm	285
Soy bean milk film, stick shape	100 gm	77
Seaweed, Wakame, raw	1/2 cup	63
Seaweed, dry (agar)	1/2 cup	50
Fat-choy, dried	1/4 cup	50
Soy bean milk film, dried	100 gm	48
Boiled bone soup	1/2 cup	negligible