Osteoporosis: Causes, Complications, and How to Beat It

Osteoporosis is an age-related metabolic disease. The bone demineralizes and loses calcium and phosphorus salts, leading to fragile bones and subsequent fractures. Bone resorption accelerates as bone formation slows. It can occur postmenopausaly (Primary Osteoporosis) or as a result of a metabolic disorder or calcium deficiency (Secondary Osteoporosis). 


The following are the risk factors of Osteporosis:
- cigarette smoking
- early menopause
- excessive use of alcohol
- family history
- female gender
- increasing age
- insufficient intake of calcium
- sedentary lifestyle
- thin, small frame
- white (European descent) or Asian race

Osteoporosis occurs most commonly in the wrist, hip, and vertebral column. The patient may not experience any symptoms until the bones become fragile and a minor injury or movement causes fracture.
      
According to American Recall Center, "Osteoporosis is a often a factor in hip fractures, which frequently lead to hip replacement surgery."

• One out of every two women and one in four men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. The most serious osteoporotic fractures are hip fractures.
• The majority of those who experience hip fractures will require assistance in their day-to-day lives. Twenty percent of seniors who suffer a hip fracture die within a year.
• Due to an aging population and a lack of focus on bone health in the past, the number of hip fractures in the United States could double or triple by the year 2020.
• Nearly 75% of all hip fractures occur in women.
• Osteoporosis accounts for more time spent in the hospital than diseases like diabetes, heart attack and breast cancer among women over 45.
• Hip fractures cost more than $11 billion each year (approximately $37,000 per patient).

Prevention is better than a pound of cure. Here are my practices to beat Osteoporosis to avoid getting complications and serious injuries like hip fracture:

I eat rich in calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus foods like milk, dairy, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, shellfish, fish, whole grains, lean meat, and fruits. The said minerals are needed for stronger and healthier bones.

I take calcium supplements. I prefer Calchews because it's like eating my favorite chocolate or caramel chewy candies while meeting my daily calcium requirement.

I go out and expose (not overexpose) myself to sunlight. Sunlight synthesizes Vitamin D found on our skin which is needed for better calcium absorption.

I keep myself mobile. Doing household chores, chasing my kids, doing crafts from sun up to sun down daily I guess are enough ways to exercise. Exercise can increase bone mass and density and slows down bone loss.

I don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, and avoid colas and carbonated drinks. Phosphoric acid that gives colas and carbonated drinks sharp taste is made up of the mineral Phosphorus, which in EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS, causes excessive excretion of calcium.

I take caffeinated drinks and food products in moderation. Caffeine decreases the ability of the body to absorb calcium. 

I use less salt. Like Phosphorus, too much salt intake causes the body to excrete more calcium.

I take medications only when they are necessary. Cortecosteroids, antacids that contain aluminum, antibiotics, and blood thinners increase bone loss. Thank God, I don't get sick often.

REFERENCES:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/326827-the-effects-of-caffeine-on-bone-density/

http://www.naturalnews.com/026841_bone_osteoporosis_calcium.html 

http://www.recallcenter.com/hip-replacement/

Silvestry, L. A. (2008), Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN 4th Edition. Saunders