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What is OSTEOPOROSIS?
- Osteoporosis is the
loss of bone mass leading to an increased risk of bone fractures. These
fractures usually involve the hips, vertebrae, and wrists.
- There is no cure for osteoporosis, but treatment helps slow its
progression.
- Osteoporosis is more common in women
than men, but it can occur in both sexes.
- The Bone Mineral Density test (BMD) helps determine how strong the
bones are. This test is painless, relatively fast and simple.
The risk factors
for osteoporosis include:
- Post-menopausal women, especially if menopause has occurred early in life
- Race (Caucasian and Asian)
- Low calcium intake
- Women age 65 or over
- Being under ideal body weight
- Low levels of exercise
- Fracture after age 40 without significant trauma
- X-ray evidence of low bone mass
- Glucocorticoids long term (i.e. Prednisone)
- High thyroid levels long term
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Smoking cigarettes or consuming excessive caffeine or alcohol
Treatment and prevention of OSTEOPOROSIS
- Adequate intake of calcium (1000-1500mg/day) and
vitamin D
(400-800IU/day) helps reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. (Specific products may be
recommended by a physician or pharmacist.)
- Exercise is helpful in slowing the loss of
calcium from bones and helps keep bones strong. The best exercise is
weight-bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, hiking etc.
- Prevention of falls and fractures is an important objective of
treating osteoporosis.
- The risk of falls should be minimized by supplying adequate lighting
(night-lights), using vision aids (glasses), nonskid
floors, anchor rugs, grab bars, handrails etc.
- Smokers should try to quit.
- Treatment for osteoporosis is aimed at strengthening the bones and
thereby reducing the risks for fractures.
- Varying types of medications are available by prescription to increase
bone mineral density.
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