Osteoporosis

Our bones are very important…they form our skeleton which in turn provides support for our whole body!  Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced.  Osteoporosis will occur when the creation of new bone is not able to keep up with the destruction of the old bone.  When this occurs, the bones become weak and brittle where a fall or even mild activity such as bending over or coughing can result in a fracture.  Fractures that are caused by osteoporosis most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. 

Typically with osteoporosis there will be no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss.  In addition, symptoms will most likely vary from person to person…some being worse than others.  Once your bones become weakened by osteoporosis, you may notice signs and symptoms which include:

• Back pain that is caused by fractured vertebrae.
• Gradual loss of height over time.
• Stooped posture.
• A fracture that occurs much more easily that it should.

When you’re young things seem so easy...right?  Even your bones think so too because they are able to make new bone faster than they break it down so that your bone mass is able to increase.  Most individuals reach their peak bone mass by their early 20s, then it’s downhill from there unfortunately, because with age, bone mass is lost faster than it is made.  Therefore, the more bone mass you build up in your younger days, the more you’ll have in “savings” for when you get older to put off development of osteoporosis as long as possible. 

Risks go hand in hand with every medical condition out there.  A number of factors can contribute to your risk of developing osteoporosis…some you can work to modify, and some you cannot.  Risks include the following:

Unmodifiable Risks

-Gender

·      Women are at a greater risk to develop osteoporosis.

-Age

·      The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis, remember though it can happen whenever it wants.

-Race

·      Individuals who are white or of Asian descent are more at risk.

-History

·      If you have a parent or sibling with the condition, you’ll be at a much greater risk.

-Size

·      Believe it or not, men and women who have smaller body frames run a higher risk of osteoporosis.  This is because they have less bone mass in savings to withdraw from as they go through the aging process.

Hormone Levels

-Sex Hormones

·      Lowered sex hormone levels prove to weaken bones.

·      For females, the reduction of estrogen levels at menopause is a huge risk factor for developing osteoporosis.

·      For men, a reduction in testosterone can contribute.  There is a gradual reduction with age and some treatments for prostate cancer can reduce these levels.

-Thyroid Trouble

·      Too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss.

·      An overactive thyroid or too much medication to treat an underactive thyroid can cause this.

Dietary Factors

-Low Calcium Intake

·      If calcium is lacking in your normal diet, this will play a major role in developing osteoporosis.

·      Low intake of calcium leads to diminished bone density, early bone loss, and an increased risk of fractures

- Eating Disorders

·      Anorexia causes an increased risk of osteoporosis because of lack of calories, protein and calcium…all leading to weaker bones.

- Gastrointestinal Surgery

·      Reducing the size of your stomach or removal of a portion of your intestine will limit the surface area that is available for nutrients to be absorbed.

Medications

• Long-term use of steroids
• Seizure medication
• Gastric reflux medication
• Cancer treatments
• Transplant rejection medications

Lifestyle Habits

-Sedentary

·      The longer you spend sitting, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.

·      Your best bet is to get up and move around…and often.

·      Any weight-bearing exercise will be beneficial in the long run.

-Alcohol

·      Regular consumption of more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day increases your risk.

-Tobacco

·      Has been shown to contribute to weak bones.

Upon presentation of your signs and symptoms to your provider, a medical examination will be completed.  In order to diagnose osteoporosis your bone density will be measured.  Bone density is measured via an x-ray machine to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones.  Treatment regimens will be based upon your medical examination in addition to the results of your bone density test.  If your results show a high risk of breaking a bone within the next 10 years, you will be placed on an osteoporosis medication.  Other treatment measures will be discussed with you by your provider. 

Total Home Health has a program that is right for you related to your condition.  Our highly-skilled team of professionals will always make your health and safety our number one priority.  We will work right next to your provider and see that all your treatment is completed precisely, all within the comforts of your home.  Ultimately, you should take control of your bone health as soon as possible; strive to modify those risk factors that you can on your own first to help decrease your risk.   Every little change will help to increase your chance of putting off the day you are diagnosed with osteoporosis.  Starting today, take the reins to your lifestyle!  Get up, get moving, eat right, and enroll with Total Home Health, then you’ll be on your way to better bone health for your future.