It is essential to take care of our bones. To neglect them puts us at risk of injury and other bone related diseases. Prevention in the early years of life is the best method of dealing with these conditions. However, even as we get older there is still quite a lot we can do to improve our bone health and ultimately, our quality of life. One of the greatest risks to our bone health is a disease called Osteoporosis. In this article we will look at this condition, what it is, how to prevent it, and how to improve our bone health even if we are suffering from Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a condition were the bones become very fragile and brittle. This leaves the bones vulnerable to breakage and injury. One of the most dangerous aspects of Osteoporosis is that is progresses without pain until a bone breaks. Osteoporosis can be quite advanced at this point.
The most likely areas to have a bane break are the hip and the spinal area. A broken hip nearly always required a stay in hospital and the chances of corrective surgery are much greater. It can affect the person's ability to walk without assistance and can cause permanent disability. Breaks in the spinal column can also be serious. These can result in a loss of height, future pain and deformity.
Prevention of Osteoporosis requires developing habits for good bone health early in life. People have acquired about 98 percent of their bone density by the age of 20. If you have taken good care of your bones while young then your chances of preventing osteoporosis are quite good.
If you are older, it is essential that you continue practicing good bone health. Although your maximum bone density is likely reached, your bones still need to be replenished with nutrients. This is especially true in women who are post menopausal. Once the ovaries stop producing estrogen, the body looses a natural substance to help prevent bone loss. It is important when this happens to compensate with other vitamins and minerals.
Osteoporosis can be a debilitating condition. It can cause a great deal of pain once the effects are felt and can alter a person's quality of life. Hospital stays and surgeries are quite often requires when injuries from osteoporosis start to set in. The best cure for this condition is prevention. By implementing a plan for good bone health as soon as possible, you are greatly reducing your chances of this condition and other serious bone conditions.
While it is true that good bone health is essential for an injury free and good quality of life. Many have misconstrued much of the research regarding bone health and how it relates to debilitating bone conditions. Even today in our highly advanced medical age, people still hold onto old myths about bone health and osteoporosis, In this article we will look at some of these myths and attempt to dispel them by giving you the truth about bone health and Osteoporosis.
Despite all of the knowledge that is present there are still many who believe that Osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. This is completely untrue. In fact, osteoporosis in most people is 100 percent preventable. It is true that women, once they go through menopause, stop producing estrogen. Estrogen helps prevent bone loss. This makes women that are post menopausal more susceptible to osteoporosis and other bone conditions. However, if good bone health habits were practiced while young and continue to be implemented in later life, there is every chance that osteoporosis will be prevented.
Many people who are stricken with osteoporosis think that there is little they can do once the condition has set in. This condition is serious and can present pain and alterations to a person's life style. However, one should not give up. Even after fractures occur there is still lots that can be done to prevent this from happening in the future. With medication, diet and proper exercise future injuries and bone loss can be avoided. Remember, it is never too late to start practicing good bone health.
Another Myth about osteoporosis is that it is a disease that affects older women. It is true that older women can be more susceptible to this condition but osteoporosis can strike anyone at any age. Younger women who have had a history of asthma or arthritis are just as likely to contract osteoporosis. If these women have been taking glococorticiods for there conditions then they should have there bone density checked regularly. These medications have been known to cause bone loss.
While it is true that age does seem to present some correlation with bone deterioration, conditions such as osteoporosis can affect anyone. The good news is, osteoporosis isn't something that just needs to be accepted as part of the aging process. It is completely preventable and even treatable with good bone health habits.