| Osteoporosis is a disease that is common in women. | | | | Lifestyle change. This includes integrating exercise |
| Approximately ten million American, eight million women | | | | into your schedule and quitting cigarette smoking. |
| and two million men, are affected by this condition. | | | | Exercise does not do anything to increase bone |
| What is Osteoporosis? | | | | density, it does, however, improve your sense of |
| Osteoporosis is a condition that features loss of the | | | | balance and strengthen muscles to help prevent you |
| bone's normal density. It leads to abnormally porous | | | | from falls. Cigarette smoking, on the other hand, |
| bone that is more compressible like a sponge, than | | | | decreases bone mass. For pre-menopausal women, |
| dense like a brick. This disease weakens the bones | | | | cigarette smoking decreases estrogen level, thereby |
| and increases risks of having fractures. Even a | | | | decreasing bone mass. |
| minor fall or injury may cause the bone to get a | | | | Medications. There are now medications available in |
| fracture. | | | | the market that helps in stopping bone loss, some |
| A lot of factors may contribute to having | | | | medications help increase bone strength, and some |
| Osteoporosis. As we age, our body starts producing | | | | help increase bone formation. |
| lesser calcium, causing natural degeneration of the | | | | Nutrition. Eating foods rich in calcium will help |
| bone. Certain medications may contribute to a loss | | | | supplement the loss calcium in the bones. Vitamin D |
| of bone density. And also having a certain bone | | | | and protein, although good for muscle strength, have |
| condition called Osteopenia, which is low bone mass, | | | | been proven to increase the risk of getting fractures. |
| increases the risk of having Osteoporosis. | | | | It is not advisable to eat foods with high protein or |
| How would I know if I have Osteoporosis? | | | | Vitamin D content. |
| Osteoporosis is a silent disease, it has no specific | | | | How can I prevent getting Osteoporosis? |
| symptom. Its only main consequence is an increased | | | | The best way to fight Osteoporosis is to not get it in |
| risk of getting bone fractures. Osteoporotic fractures | | | | the first place. This condition is easily preventable by |
| happen in places a normal person would not normally | | | | means of living a healthy lifestyle, exercise and proper |
| break bones, they are called fragility fractures. These | | | | diet. |
| typically occur in the vertebral column, the hip and the | | | | Performing exercise at an early age may help achieve |
| wrist. | | | | higher peak bone mass and good muscle strength. |
| Some symptoms of fragility fractures in the vertebral | | | | Having enough exercise helps delay bone |
| column, also called vertebral collapse, are acute back | | | | degeneration and decreases chances of acquiring |
| pain and spinal cord compression. The pain is caused | | | | Osteoporosis even at the later years of your life. A |
| by compressed nerves. Multiple vertebral fractures | | | | well-balanced diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D |
| may lead to a stooped posture, loss of height, and | | | | for the bones and muscles will also help decrease the |
| chronic pain which causes reduced mobility. | | | | risk of getting Osteoporosis. |
| How is Osteoporosis treated? | | | | Being health-conscious at an early age helps, so don't |
| There are several treatments available for people with | | | | wait until you're old to start taking care of your |
| Osteoporosis. However, medical health professionals | | | | bones. They are, after all, holding you up and |
| emphasized the importance of a change of lifestyle in | | | | supporting you. |
| order to prevent the disease from developing. | | | | |