Cures 15
FIGHTING OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA
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Osteoporosis is quite a debilitating disease that makes bones brittle and crack under slight pressure. The unfortunate part for those who suffer under osteopenia or osteoporosis is that there are no external symptoms until there is an accident and ultimate fracture or broken bone that determine that they, too, have fallen victim to it like one in five women who are in the postmenopausal stages in the United States alone. Osteoporosis cannot be cured fast. Though there are medications that help build bone density, they are way too expensive for an average earner to retiree to be able to afford. Also, the effects of the medication last 2 years at best, and the cycle has to be repeated all over again.
No matter what an individual is going through, it is of utmost importance to stay mentally strong. Having a positive attitude and one where you still feel larger than the disease you are going through will help you cope with it and fight it well enough. Also, you need support around you. Whether it is in the form of near and dear ones or neighbours, someone needs to be there to lend a hand. If you do not know anyone personally, there are various external support groups for osteopenia and osteoporosis so you never feel alone and there are others to share their stories as well.
A key to finding out if you’re at risk of contracting osteopenia or osteoporosis, is to look at family history. Does your mother or any other close female relative suffer from this bone disease? If so, try to detect it early by voluntarily seeking a bone density test that will be able to tell you whether it is normal or below par. If so, start taking precautions and learn to live a healthier lifestyle early on.
Part of living a better lifestyle is to indulge in a lot of exercise. If you are not the kind who hits the gym, then it is a good thing because you can catch some sunlight that is rich in vitamin D and also work up a sweat through a number of ways. While brisk walking the ultimate way to build up strong bones, there are loads of other activities like sports and swimming that strengthen your core. Do not hesitate to be active in your daily life because it will prevent a number of other diseases from occurring later on in life like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and the like.
Diet is also important in fighting osteopenia or osteoporosis. Why? Because they say you are what you eat. Avoid a lot of sodium as well as processed foods and mostly eat fresh produce and those foods that are rich in calcium. Drink plenty of fresh water and avoid carbonated drinks because just like they erode enamel of the teeth, they also slowly shave off the surface of your bone, thus decreasing its density.
Overall, live a clean life. Avoid smoking as nicotine, though addictive, does nothing good for the body, including your bones. Any medication that you might be taking should be cross-checked with your doctor to determine if their side-effects include decreasing estrogen and testosterone, both of which are important for bone health.
Prevention is better than cure and the earlier you start taking care of yourself and watching for signs of bone issues, the better it will be for your future.
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OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA IN MEN
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The decrease in bone density that makes bones porous and brittle and more likely to fracture is called osteoporosis. Usually, it is linked to women, especially those in the postmenopausal stage. In fact, it is true that more women suffer from this than men, but yes, even men have a bone issue, that could range from osteopenia to full-blown osteoporosis. It is said that around 20% of the patients going through osteoporosis are men. But the reason why this happens to them is different from the reason why it happens to women.
Usually osteoporosis is not linked to men because they tend to work harder and do a lot of physical activity or exercise more than women do. Women also tend to live longer than men, so they are more likely to suffer from this bone disease than men.
When it comes to men, osteoporosis is linked to the deficiency of testosterone in the system. This may not make sense because one may ask how is testosterone linked to bone health? The answer is that it is because what the body does is convert testosterone into estrogen that is responsible for building bone mass. Though science doesn’t have the answer yet as to exactly how much of the male hormone is needed to prevent osteoporosis from setting in, what can be certain is that when a man is going through it, one of the main treatments for him is to provide him with medication that has testosterone as one of the main ingredients.
When it comes to preventing osteoporosis from setting in, men can start at an early age to live a more active lifestyle. Deficiencies in calcium as well as vitamin D are the other causes for osteoporosis. And it doesn’t take much effort to keep one’s bones healthy. A brisk walk for 30 minutes every day or so of the week is considered more beneficial for bone health than a rough workout in the gym that involves weight lifting. Additionally, walking in the early morning sun will help with the skin absorbing the vital vitamin D that will make bones stronger and prevent osteoporosis.
There are other conditions that are linked to osteoporosis. Taking medication for these other issues could have an effect on the bones because of the decrease in testosterone in the system. Always consult with your doctor and research these matters yourself to understand all the possible side effects of your medication. In fact, even smoking can cause osteoporosis and according to 10 studies conducted internationally, smokers are at a 55% higher risk of obtaining fractures linked to smoking as nicotine affects the bone cells, thus making bones more brittle.
It is imperative to lead a healthy lifestyle as soon as possible. Eating foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D is important. One can take supplements for the same, but ensure that you consult with your doctor about dosage and the right kind of tablets for you. Exercise goes a long way as well. Hitting the gym is a good idea and especially when living in city areas, it seems like a logical option. But a brisk walk out the open, close to nature is an experience that rejuvenates body as well as mind. Going out in the early morning sun is recommended because this is the time that the rays are giving off a lot of pure vitamin D that will soak into your skin faster. Avoid any habits, like smoking, that one knows is detrimental to health, because you’re body needs to work at its optimum level even in later stages of life.
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OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA SUPPORT
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As with any sickness, whether it is minute or is threatening to take over your life, it’s always easier when you have someone to share the burden. When it comes to a debilitating disease like osteopenia and osteoporosis, the feeling is the same; it is better to have someone sharing your pain and able to understand what you are going through. It is more difficult to walk the difficulty alone.
There are many ways that you can get support to beat the illness. The most convenient way is through your family, relatives and other loved ones. The support group beyond that is through neighbours, though they would probably be around to help with daily needs like grocery runs and other errands. No matter who is around you at this difficult time, it is important that you share what you are going through, because others do not experience the pain that you do and may not understand it unless vocalized.
Almost as much as it affects your physical life, osteopenia and osteoporosis also affects your mental life. Especially in the early stages, like when you just discover this life-altering disease, your mental health is also important and you must keep your peace to prepare yourself for the journey. That is the reason why doctors recommend almost immediately after the diagnosis, that you attend an outside support group of other patients that are dealing or have dealt with the same issues that you are facing, so that together you can walk through the difficult phase. And doctors are right – through various studies of those going through serious health issues like osteoporosis, those who have support around them are more likely to improve and recover, while keeping their mental health intact as well. There are many online groups and communities, in case you don’t want to travel outside your home that will help you through it all. Never feel that it is ok to try and manage everything on your own and get as much support as you can at the earliest.
Another proven way to alleviate your mental stress is to share. When you talk to others about what you are going through or when you lend support to others who are feeling the same way you do, you feel that you are not alone and that really helps with unburdening. You can offer voluntary service to homes and non-profit organisations and hold support group meetings and the like. Also, there are many blogs and websites that offer tips and outer support that you should not hesitate taking advantage of.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis is not easy to handle especially if the attack was sudden and there was no former indication. Also, if fractures and broken bones have played a part, then it is in fact beneficial to share your story so other people get to know about it as well and you may never know who will benefit from it. But the important thing is to never try to hide or feel that you are alone, because that is in fact misleading and will only make you suffer all the more.
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PREVENTION – KEEP OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA AT BAY
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They say that prevention is better than cure. And they are absolutely right! Once a patient has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it is difficult, if next to impossible for the patient to ever fully recover. Yes, the density of bones my increase and bones may get stronger, but that does not mean that osteoporosis has been fully cured. What it could mean, however, is that it has come down to a less-risky level called osteopenia.
Taking care of bone health should be something that should start from a very early age. By the time a woman is between the ages of 25-30 years, her bone density should be at its peak. If at this time it is discovered that it is below the level than it should be, means the woman is at higher risk of suffering from osteopenia by the time she is in the postmenstrual stage of life.
When a woman is between the ages of 30-35, she begins to lose more bone density than she can create. Imagine that! So if a woman, say at the age of 25 was not at the peak of bone strength and then again at the age of 30 she finds herself losing more than gaining from her bones, she will almost absolutely be a victim of osteopenia, if not full-blown osteoporosis. A scary factor of this bone disease is that there are no symptoms. Only if and when a bone fractures or is broken can the severity of it can be concluded. Doctors recommend regular bone density scans to keep osteoporosis at bay, and this is the first preventive tactic.
As children, one may be fussy to drink a glass of milk, or one may be lactose intolerant. That is ok. The importance of drinking milk is because it contains vital amounts of calcium which is what bones are mostly made of! So if milk cannot be consumed, there are other substitutes from food and also supplements that can be taken that will replenish the calcium supply in the body. Another important thing to remember is that one should avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks as much as possible. The reason being that these ingredients erode bone mass which is detrimental to preventing osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Vitamin D is another vital element that builds bone mass and the best way to get it is by soaking in the early morning sun. Daytime sun is harmful for skin and can cause skin cancers, but the rays from the just-risen sun are packed with vitamin D that no supplement can compare with it. Also while you go out to get your rays of sunshine, a brisk walk for around 30 minutes wouldn’t hurt either. This also helps to strengthen bones. So, lots of vitamin D and exercise are the other preventive measures for osteoporosis or its earlier onslaught, osteopenia.
Basically, a healthy lifestyle goes a long way in keeping bones strong and healthy. The lifestyle that people currently live is what is causing the skyrocketing rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Simple changes like walking instead of driving, drinking and eating fresh produce, taking supplements for the vitamins and minerals that cannot be consumed and getting scans and medical check-ups can seriously make prevention better than cure.
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REVERSING OSTEOPOROSIS AND OSTEOPENIA
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There isn’t a simple answer as to whether one can reverse osteoporosis. There are different stages to this bone disease. The first is osteopenia. This is the earliest stage of osteoporosis that causes bone mass reduce and bones to become brittle. At this stage it is much easier to reverse osteopenia by eating healthier, exercising and going through stringent medication to bring bone mass back. But for those who are at the chronic to severe stages of osteoporosis, it might not be that easy, but it is still possible.
There is a process known as resorption where, through medication and other techniques, bone mass is not allowed to further reduce, but stay at that level. From there, it is easier to build bone mass back up, but the process is still longer than if the patient’s health was taken care of since a much younger age.
When it comes to osteoporosis, it is best to consult a doctor as medication seems to be the only true cure for actually reversing osteoporosis. However, the more severe the bone disease is, the less likely it will be for a patient to get cured. Taking a look at osteopenia, the earliest stage of osteoporosis, there are a few measures to reversing it and getting back on track. But it is a long process and requires a change in lifestyle.
- Exercise: It is said that women do not exercise as much. But you need to keep aside at least 30 minutes a day for brisk walking. And if you do it in the early morning, that is a bonus. The rays from the just-rising sun are packed with vitamin D and the walk will help strengthen your bones and prevent osteopenia.
- Avoid Caffeine: Drinks that are filled with caffeine like coffee or soda pop are not good for health, even though they may give you a temporary boost in energy. Just as studies have shown that they wear out the enamel on teeth, so also other studies suggest the same with bones leading to osteopenia. Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and fresh foods for long-lasting energy.
- Be Careful about Medication: The early on-set of osteoporosis which is osteopenia can happen because you are taking medication for other diseases and sicknesses. While they may be helping you overcome other problems, they might be reducing estrogen, testosterone and other hormones responsible for healthy bones. Consult with your doctor and take supplements so that the hormones can be built up again. Preventing osteopenia from occurring will ultimately save you from the bigger sister, osteoporosis.
- Calcium and Vitamin D: Starting good habits when you’re young will go a long way. Even if you’re starting late, a good balanced diet that includes lots of calcium and vitamin D in it will help strengthen bones and keep osteopenia away. Once again, consult with a doctor to find out the right dosage for you. Go out in nature and soak up some sun as this is the best source for that much-needed vitamin D.
Preventing osteopenia, and ultimately osteoporosis from becoming a disease you have to live with and which can be very painful, is not difficult if the right kind of lifestyle is followed. There have been rising cases of osteopenia and osteoporosis in recent years where it is estimated that 50% of postmenopausal women will be suffering from it. This is because people are so busy taking care of the outer things of life, especially women that they forget to take care of themselves. Simple changes to your lifestyle like including exercise, eating healthy, regular doctor visits, etc can go a long way and keep osteopenia away.
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