Osteoporosis

 

Calcium is one of the important minerals that help in bone development. Deficiency of calcium might result in fractures. In adults deficiency of calcium might cause osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where bone mass decrease with age and results in weak bones that might be easily broken. Women tend to have a greater risk of this disease than men, as the calcium need of women is much greater than that of men and negligence of calcium intake during their developing years may result in this condition later in life.

The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age, a family history with this condition, thin skeleton structure, smoking, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, post menopausal might be few risk factors of developing this disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis is also a major factor that might be the cause of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where body attacks tissues near joints causing inflammation. Due to the medication used to treat arthritis and loss of joint function may increase the risk of osteoporosis.

 Osteoporosis occurs when body is unable to replace new bone cells with the ones that are lost making them weaker and more prone to facture. The factures are likely to occur in hip bone and vertebral Column. Symptoms might appear much later after the damage is done. Symptoms include joint pains, difficulty in standing up, difficulty in sitting straight, sharp pains when weight is put on a particular area and fractures.

Osteoporosis can be treated using medication and different therapies. Vitamin D supplements can be used both to treat and prevent osteoporosis. It is necessary to take a diet that includes calcium and phosphorous, older women need to get their bone density examined on periodical bases to prevent this condition from occurring, especially if one has a family history of this disease. It is also necessary to do aerobic and non-aerobic exercises at least three times a week. Vitamin D and calcium supplements can be taken and one should include calcium rich foods in their diet such as yogurt, milk, spinach etc to prevent osteoporosis from occurring later in life. Vitamin K, magnesium and phosphorus should also be included in the diet to prevent osteoporosis.  Since bone damage can start occurring at a young age without showing any symptoms it is necessary to take precautions against bone disease such osteoporosis for a better living.