Osteoporosis is a typical systemic metabolic bone disorder that is primarily characterized by significantly reduced bone density as well as the destruction of bone tissue microstructure that results in bones becoming fragile and breaking easily. The disease is generally more common in elderly people, but can also happen to the young, especially those who have a family history of it, live an unhealthy lifestyle or have certain health conditions.
The causes of osteoporosis are related to various factors, mainly genetics, age, gender, hormone levels, nutritional status, lifestyle, and medication intake. For instance, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis after menopause due to bone density is decreasing gradually as a result of lower estrogen levels. Besides that, lack of calcium and vitamin D, chronic smoking, alcoholism, lack of physical activities and having thyroid diseases or diabetes, etc. can also contribute to the risk of getting the disease.
Osteoporosis symptoms are mostly invisible; thus, it is called the “silent killer” of human bones, however, when the situation becomes severe, patients may feel back pain, their height shortens, their spine bends and so on. In fact, those with extremely low bone densities may suffer from fractures due to rib cage compressions caused by slight external forces like squeezing while bending over to pick a heavy thing up.
We can do a lot to prevent as well as treat osteoporosis such as:
1. Eat rationally
Keep eating well through a balanced diet that can meet the need for essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Calcium is mainly found in milk, yogurt, tofu, dark green vegetables, etc.; while vitamin D is largely synthesized when the skin is exposed to sunlight, but a little of it can also be taken from foods (such as cod liver oil, egg yolk, etc).
2. Moderate exercise
In order to prevent and work against osteoporosis, regular outdoor activities such as moderate exercise are highly recommended. Moderate physical movements help in bone formation, thus, they are one of the ways to increase bone density. It is suggested that one should engage in low impact exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, or yoga. One should not jump into exercise but should begin following the step-by-step principle, and then continue his or her workout for a long time in order to achieve better health.
3. Avoid bad living habits
Being a long-term smoker, drinking too much alcohol regularly, and consuming a lot of coffee and carbonated drinks can all do harm to your bones. Thus, you should avoid them as much as possible.
4. Avoid prolonged bed rest
Long periods of bed rest may result in decreased bone loading and hence, the loss of bone mass will be faster. As a result, it is advisable to not stay on the bed for an extended period, especially old people should take care of that.
5. If Bone Density Testing Is Done On A Regular Basis
Bone density tests should be done frequently in old people as well as other individuals who are at risk and have a family history of the disease so that early detection and intervention of osteoporosis can be made. Generally, it is advised that postmenopausal women get their bone density checked once a year while men should start doing it at the age of 65.
6. Active treatment to underlying diseases
Long-term diseases like diabetes and thyroid disorder which may lead to bone health deterioration. Hence, those suffering from this kind of illnesses should not only focus on the primary disease but also take measures to lessen the chance of having osteoporosis by doing this.
Medication can be used to help raise bone density and lower the risk of fracture in individuals who suffer from osteoporosis. The condition is a chronic and progressive one that most of the time requires long-term and ongoing drug treatment as well as management.
To sum up, osteoporosis is a bone disease that must be handled with care. By living healthy, consuming a balanced diet and doing moderate exercises, we can largely prevent the problem as well as improve it, thereby being able to maintain bone health and have a better quality of life.
“Dr. Puneet Girdhar, currently serves as the Director of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at BLK Centre for Orthopaedics, Joint Reconstruction & Spine Surgery at BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi. With extensive experience, Best Orthopedic surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Girdhar specializes in microendodiscectomies, minimally invasive spinal decompressions and fusions, artificial disc replacements, and deformity correction in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He expertly treats a broad range of spinal conditions, including congenital, degenerative, neoplastic, and traumatic.”
