Why osteoporosis and osteopenia are fast turning into diseases of the young

Did you know that osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures worldwide every year? what is frightening is many of these fractures are now taking place among the youth due to deficit diet and poor lifestyle coupled with genetic predisposition. Both osteoporosis and osteopenia are two forms of bone loss conditions, with the latter being a precursor to the former. To distinguish between the two a bone mineral density test is usually performed.

What is the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia?

A BMD (bone mineral density) t-score between -1 sd and -2.5 sd indicates osteopenia with a high chance of osteoporosis. On the other hand, a t-score of -2.5 sd and below stands for osteoporosis. A higher bone density (above -1sd) is usually indicative of stronger bones. Fragility index is more accurate way to assess the risk of fractures.

In osteoporosis the bone loss or weakening of bones take place over a long period of time, and results in unexpected fractures and severe bone problems. Disfigurement, fractures in the spine, loss of mobility and independence are usual characteristics of this bone disease once it progresses further.

Prevention is better than cure, always!

To keep bones strong and healthy, calcium and phosphate is continuously absorbed by the body. But after 30, the body?s ability to absorb calcium slows down and there?s a decrease in the production of new bones. In contrast, bone desorption (the process of transferring calcium from the bone to the blood) continues unabated.

When the body starts absorbing the store of calcium in the bones to meets its needs, it leads to calcium depletion and is one of the causes of the weakening of the bone.

At present, the age limit (50-60 years) for osteoporosis has seen a drop with many younger people increasingly suffering from the ailment. Factors like unhealthy lifestyle, late-night shifts, smoking and alcohol consumption have been found to be the culprits behind the rise in osteoporosis cases among the young. Recent studies have identified vitamin d deficiency as a major factor for poor bone health and bone mass density in the young.

How to keep your bones strong and healthy? and manage osteo - penia/porosis complications:

Bone loss can be prevented by adopting these very simple but effective ways:

- exercising can help in building strong bones and muscles, while preventing bone loss.

- maintaining a calcium intake of 1000 mg for pre-menopausal women and 1200 mg for women post menopause.

- staying out in the sun for 20 minutes to produce requisite amount of vitamin d for calcium absorption and using supplements of vitamin d.

- there are many safe medicines available to prevent and treat osteoporosis like alendronates, calcitonin, parathyroid, teriparatide preparation etc.

- in osteoporosis induced /associated fractures we have to to modify implants to negate weak purchase of implants in bone and improve mobility. We have been using these modifications in established osteopenia/porosis case in fractures treatment/joint replacement/ arthroscopic fixations and MIS spine fracture management.


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Are Osteoporosis and Osteopenia fast turning into diseases of the young?

The bones are a porous matrix which is filled with minerals like calcium and phosphorus which make them strong. Over a period of time, the mineral content is lost and therefore the matrix gets brittle. Bones are more likely to fracture in these people.

Causes/Risk factors:

The bones get fragile and brittle with age in most people, and people over 60 years of age are likely to be affected
Asian women about the age of 45 are prone to osteoporosis
Reduced vitamin D intake (either by sun exposure or through diet) also makes bone porous and prone to fracture
Sedentary lifestyle with minimal or no exercise
Lower levels of estrogen, especially post menopause
Cigarette smoking
Reduced testosterone levels
With fracture, there is severe pain, loss of mobility, and need for prolonged nursing.
Foods which can help control/prevent osteoporosis:

Yoghurt: Derived from milk, it is rich in animal protein and also contains good amounts of vitamin D and B2, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It helps in maintaining estrogen levels during menopause, thereby preventing osteoporosis. They also provide a good supply of gut bacteria, which improves immunity.
Milk: Similar to yoghurt, this is also rich in various minerals that are essential for bone health. The vitamin D in it also improves calcium absorption, thereby prolonging the occurrence of osteoporosis.
Fish and meat: Lean meat and fish are good sources of oils and protein and form an essential part of diet for preventing osteoporosis. Sardines and salmon are ideal as the tiny fish are rich sources of calcium.
Eggs: This contains good amounts of natural protein, minerals, and vitamins essential for bone health. It also helps in estrogen formation, which has a bone-protective effect.
Cabbage: Any form of cabbage is good for preventing osteoporosis. It promotes bone metabolism and has calcium which help in strong bone formation.
Bananas: Another effective food in preventing osteoporosis, it helps improve absorption of calcium and other essential nutrients to ensure bones are formed and maintain health. It also has natural oils, potassium, and vitamins A and C in good quantity.
Almonds: It forms an integral part of preventing osteoporosis by increasing bone density and promoting bone health. It also has good oil content, which is also essential for bone health.
Legumes: Beans and other legumes are rich source of proteins and minerals and therefore prevent onset of osteoporosis.
Chickpeas: Another great source of various minerals and vitamins, it is very low in calories and sugar and is great to lose weight. It also improves bone health by increasing density.

Osteoporosis - How A Healthy Diet Can Reduce Its Risk?

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones. It occurs when the mesh-like structures present inside the bones becomes thin. This is a condition in which the bones become extremely fragile and have a tendency of breaking easily. The broken bones cause extreme pain. There are artificial medicines available in the markets for treating this condition. However, treatment of osteoporosis can be best done by the naturally produced Parathyroid hormone (PTH). 

It is secreted by the parathyroid glands in our body. It is an 84-amino acid polypeptide. The most interesting thing about PTH treatment is that it actually builds new bones. Other medications for osteoporosis only reduce the rate of loss of bones. PTH helps in increasing the amount of calcium in body. It also prevents bone loss due to osteoporosis. It is often considered to be an anabolic agent. If an osteoporosis patient is given low doses of PTH, his or her bones get strengthened. It also helps in increasing the bone mass.

Why a doctor recommends PTH for osteoporosis? Is it better than other drugs?
Traditionally, bisphosphonates were used to treat osteoporosis. However, it has been observed in a number of cases that bisphosphonates only help in slowing down the loss of bone density. However, PTH increases bone mineral density. Therefore, it is a better option for the treatment of osteoporosis. It is usually given to patients who have extremely low bone mass. It has been found effective in cases where other medications failed to show results. Moreover, it also works for postmenopausal women. 

Doctors believe that it can also be used for treating men with osteoporosis who are at high risk for fracture. It improves the microarchitecture of the bone and can do wonders in altering the bone size. Moreover, it has lesser side-effects on the health of the patient. It is known to cause dizziness and nausea and no major discomfort. It has also been noticed that patients who are being treated with PTH develop less back pain. These are also cost-effective for the long term treatment of osteoporosis.

Parathyroid Hormones - Is It a Better Treatment For Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis treatments incorporate the essential CDE's calcium(C), vitamin (D), weight-bearing activity (E), counteractive action of Falls (F), and bone-accommodating drugs.

Understanding osteoporosis treatment is essential for everybody, especially on the off chance that you have hazard variables for the confusion. Osteoporosis treatment incorporates a multifaceted regimen of eating routine, way of life propensities, and osteoporosis medications with a specific end goal to forestall further bone misfortune and fractures.

Osteoporosis Medications: Osteoporosis treatments come in a few structures. A lot should be started among the youth; others use medications recommended by the physicians in order to treat osteoporosis.
Osteopenia Lifestyle Treatments: Osteopenia is a term used to depict bone thickness that is to some degree lower than ordinary however not sufficiently low to be analyzed as osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Exercise: Weight-bearing activity is often a possibility for osteoporosis patients, and it may even help your bones, as this article clarifies. Check with your specialist before beginning another workout schedule.
Strontium Treatment for Osteoporosis: On the off chance that you are worried about the bone-diminishing sickness osteoporosis, one treatment you may have known about and considered is strontium.
Forteo for Osteoporosis: Teriparatide (Forteo) is self-infused into the skin. Since long haul security is not yet settled, it is just FDA-endorsed for 24 months of utilization.
Osteoporosis Myth: Once You Get Osteoporosis, No Treatment Helps
On the off chance that analyzed, osteoporosis can be treated with an assortment of new osteoporosis medications that counteract bone misfortune and revamp bone. These osteoporosis treatments can considerably diminish your danger of creating risky and conceivably lethal bone fractures.

 How Often Should You Get a Bone Mineral Density Test?

That is a disputable inquiry. Discover what two specialists say in regards to the verbal confrontation.

In the event, that you have osteoporosis or think you may have osteoporosis, call your human services supplier to be assessed. Sooner is superior to anything later - particularly in the event that you have strange or sharp torment or other related symptoms or on the off chance that you have nervousness about osteoporosis.

Long Term Cure For Osteoporosis - Things You Need To Know!

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones of its sufferers. This is most commonly found in women, especially in those who are close to, or going through, menopause. Hormonal changes around this period in a woman's life usually lead to various changes in her body. One of these changes includes loss of bone tissue which can leave the patient with brittle and weak bones, a condition that is also known as osteoporosis. This condition literally imbibes the word porous, meaning hollow bones. It is born from an acute deficiency of calcium and vitamin d. The dexa scan or bone density test, also known as the dual energy x ray absorptiometry scan, is one of the most effective tests that can help you in detecting this kind of damage or thinning bones. Here's why.

- fractures: the dexa scan is an important one because it sends low energy beams to areas like your joints and tissues to show how susceptible you are to fractures. It does so by measuring the strength of the tissues as well as the bones to see how brittle they may be.&nbsp;

- other ailments: measuring the thinning of your bones can also point to the presence of other ailments that may have gone unnoticed or undetected, earlier. These can include kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism which happens due to overactive secretions of the said gland, as well as liver disease due a malfunctioning liver, intestinal disease and various disorders in the intestinal tract, and a serious vitamin d deficiency. With this scan, you can get an insight into the other parts of the body affected by the bone density, and whether or not they are functioning properly.&nbsp;

- estrogen: simply checking the estrogen levels cannot ascertain whether or not you have osteoporosis, as a high estrogen level can be credited to a particularly heavy period cycle. It does not show the bone health the way a dexa scan does.&nbsp;

- easy and standardised: this method of scanning usually happens with the help of a mounted x ray machine type, hand held gadget which can be extended to conduct the scan. This is an easy and standardised method that releases low levels of radiation which also makes it a healthier option.

- bone density scores: the t scores and z scores point towards the bone density and help in diagnosing the condition efficiently. With a systematic scoring system, it is a sure shot test for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a serious condition. The first step in treating the same is to get a detailed scan like the dexa scan done, so as to test the extent of the bone thinning to ensure that proper and timely treatment takes place.&nbsp;


Why Is The DEXA Scan Important For Osteoporosis Patients

Your bone is a living tissue that constantly undergoes the cycle of breakage and replacement. Osteoporosis is a condition wherein the rate at which new bones form cannot match up to the worn out bones, thus making the bones fragile and brittle. Osteoporosis mainly affects the wrist, hip or spine and can result in a stooped posture accompanied by height shrinkage and back pain caused due to a collapsed vertebra.

Reasons Behind Osteoporosis

Hormones: Lowered estrogen count in women and testosterone in men as a result of ageing or other treatments can result in this condition. Excess thyroid secretion in the body, an overactive adrenalin gland or parathyroid gland can also accelerate bone loss. Women are more vulnerable to osteoporosis during menopause.

Prolonged use of injected: Prolonged use of injected or oral corticosteroid medications such as cortisone or prednisone messes with the bone-building process. Medicines used to combat cancer, gastric reflux and seizures can be responsible as well.

Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, liver or kidney disease increases the risks of acquiring osteoporosis.

Sedentary Lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle with not much physical activity along with an excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco makes you susceptible to osteoporosis.

Treatments for Osteoporosis:

Medication: Commonly prescribed medicines for remedying fractures include bisphosphonates such as Zoledronic acid, Ibandronate, Risedronate and Alendronate.However these medicines are not free of side-effects such as abdominal pain, nausea or heart burn. In case, your regular medicine doesn t work, you can use Denosumab and Teriparatide as alternatives but only after consulting your physician.
Hormone Therapy: Estrogen therapy for women after menopause helps sustain bone density. However such procedures can escalate the dangers of getting afflicted with cancer, heart diseases or conditions such as blood clotting.
Alternative Medicine: Ipriflavone, a laboratory manufactured product, when combined with calcium can curb chances of bone loss and alleviate pain.

Osteoporosis - How It Can be Treated?

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