Guide To Osteoporosis

Answer 1

In America, more than 10 million people have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a serious disease that leads to porous, fragile bone. This disease can cause fractures in the spine, wrist, hips, feet, and other bones. Most people that have been diagnosed with osteoporosis did not experience any symptoms for a long time. The only symptoms that can occur are bone fractures. Consequently, people may not know they have this condition until they fracture a bone.

So what causes osteoporosis? There are numerous risk factors for developing this condition such thin and small body frames, female gender, Caucasian or Asian race, family history of this condition, smoking, history of bone fractures, drinking too much alcohol, lack of exercise, calcium deficiency, poor nutrition, inflammation that develops because of certain diseases like rheumatoid Arthritis, immobility due to a stroke or other health condition, hyperthyroidism, and lack of Vitamin D in the diet. Furthermore, some prescription medications can cause this condition like heparin or oral corticosteroids or anti-seizure medications.

Treatment for osteoporosis involves increasing bone density and strength in order to prevent bone fractures. If you find out you have this condition early and you treat it, you will decrease your risk of bone fractures significantly. In addition, in order to treat this condition or prevent it, you need to make changes to your lifestyle like quitting smoking, exercising, drinking less alcohol, eating a healthy diet, taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements. This disease is also treated with prescription medications that stop bone loss and make the bones stronger. Some medications that are used to treat osteoporosis include Actonel, Fosamax, Boniva, Evista, Reclast, and Calcimar. If you do not have osteoporosis and you are 60 years old or older, you should have a bone density exam done, so consult with your doctor. Bone fractures can lead to disability, so it is very important that people visit their doctor’s and take care of themselves.