Osteoporosis
A disease characterized by low bone mass and structural
deterioration of bone tissue
Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is a progressive
reduction in bone mass, resulting in skeletal weakness and
fractures - often with little or no apparent trauma at all.
Postmenopausal women are the principal sufferers of this
disease, although many patients are only in their mid-twenties -
a disease often thought of as 'an older person's disease', but
one that can strike at any age!
Causes:
Although the causes of osteoporosis are unknown, it is believed that a combination of factors contribute to this weakening of bone strength:
- Inadequate calcium intake
- Certain drugs e.g. heparin, steroids
- Hereditary factors - slender, fair haired and skinned women; history of the disease
- Menopause - through the cessation of oestrogen production by the ovaries
- Cigarette smoking
- Anorexia nervosa and bulimia
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Sedentary lifestyle and prolonged immobility
- Endocrine disorders
- Diabetes mellitus
- Underlying renal or liver disease
- Hypogonadism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperparathyroidism
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms:
Many people only discover they are suffers of osteoporosis
once it is well established, as the disease itself is painless,
and it is for this very reason that it is often called the
"silent disease". However, the first indication is usually a
constant achiness of the bones in the lower back and chest area,
also often accompanied by muscle spasms.
About 25% of women older than 60 years have osteoporosis.
Diagnostic Techniques
Through the use of CT scanning and Dual photon absorptiometry,
doctors are able to measure bone density of the spine, hip and
wrist.
Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence, is the
best prevention method, as by the time a woman reaches her early
twenties, 98% of her skeletal mass has already been formed.
Conventional Treatment
Prevention is by far the most effective 'treatment' when it
comes to dealing with this disorder, as it is impossible to
replace bone mass. This would include, adequate dietary calcium
intake (800 mg or more per day - to be increased during
pregnancy and menopause), vitamin D supplements, and the
avoidance of other risk factors, such as smoking and excessive
alcohol consumption. For the menopausal woman, treatment would
be aimed at minimising the progress of osteoporosis through the
preservation of the remaining bone. Raloxifene (a selective
oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM)), may also be prescribed for
the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Alternative Treatment
Yoga - Together with other bone disorders, yoga aims
to combat the effects of osteoporosis through effective
relaxation and breathing techniques.
Naturopathy - Practitioners believe that regular
exercise, adopting a wholefood diet and additional calcium and
vitamin D aids in preventing and halting progression of
osteoporosis.
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