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What Causes Osteoporosis?
from: Gray RollinsAccording to the U.S. News & World Report Health Center,
"Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and
more likely to break. Literally meaning 'porous bone,' it
results in an increased loss of bone mass and strength."
Osteoporosis debilitates millions of people every year, but
there is good news - prevention is possible!
The skeletal structure of the body provides support for our
muscles and protection for our vital organs; our bones are also
a storehouse of calcium and other minerals. More than 99 percent
of the body's calcium is stored in our bones and teeth, the
other 1 percent travels throughout our body in our blood.
Calcium is vital for heart and muscle function.
Our skeletons are made up of a smooth, tough outer layer of
dense bone, a spongier mid section and a soft core of marrow
where new cells are made to rebuild our bones. Our bones are
constantly changing because our bodies depend on a steady supply
of calcium to function properly. When we don't get enough
calcium from our regular diet our bodies break down and rebuild
bone to meet our needs. This is called "bone remodeling."
Many things can influence bone remodeling, like injury, illness,
medications, exercise, diet, hormonal changes, smoking, heavy
drinking and of course the normal aging process. When the body
requires more calcium than we are able to consume, or if we
aren't able to store the calcium we consume adequately it is
leached from the spongy mid layer of our bones. They gradually
lose their density making them weak and porous, and more prone
to fractures. This is osteoporosis.
Most of our bone mass is established before the age of 30, and
after about age 35, as a part of the normal aging process, our
bodies begin to breakdown our bone faster than we are able to
rebuild it. The natural decline in hormonal production is
another contributing factor. When women reach menopause and
their ovaries stop producing estrogen and bone loss accelerates.
In men a reduction in the hormone testosterone also encourages
bone loss.
There is no cure for osteoporosis, so disease prevention is
vital to maintaining bone density. There are three key areas to
consider when it comes to preventing osteoporosis: diet,
lifestyle choices and medications.
p://www.osteoperosishelp.com/howtopreventosteoporosis
To maintain strong healthy bones a diet sufficient in calcium
and vitamin D are important from preadolescence and throughout
adulthood. Calcium needs become greater in older adults whose
bodies can no longer rebuild bone mass. Recent studies suggest
that bone fractures can be reduced by 30-50% in individuals with
low dietary calcium simply with the addition of a calcium and
vitamin D supplement.
A few easy lifestyle changes can also influence our risk of
getting osteoporosis. Smoking, low body weight and a lack of
exercise are all contributing factors to raising our
susceptibility to the disease. Weight-bearing exercises like
walking, stair climbing, dancing and weight training help to
increase bone density, keep muscles flexible and ensure better
physical balance in people of all ages. Exercise also helps to
regulate body weight to a healthy level. There is a direct link
between tobacco use and lower bone density so smoking cessation
is also recommended.
The use of medications can and does play an important role in
the prevention of osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D
supplements as mentioned previously are often paired with
bisphosphonates like Alendronate and Risedronate, selective
estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like Raloxifene, and
hormonal replacements like Estrogen and Testosterone. All
medications have some side effects and these are best discussed
with your doctor.
Though there is no known cure for osteoporosis there is hope and
help in preventing this common and often debilitating disease of
the elderly. By starting now and working to prevent bone density
loss you'll have a stronger, healthier future.
About the author:
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
site about osteoprosis prevention and relief. Learn more about
at causes osteoporosis at our site.
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