Osteoporosis is a type of bone disease which makes the bone brittle and weak. Patients suffering from this disease have weak bones that may break easily. It is a condition that has affected millions of people in the past and is continuing to affect the middle age or the elderly people. Nowadays even the young people are an easy prey to the disease. A good knowledge of the disease would help people to prevent it and thus lesson the sufferings of the people worldwide.
Effects of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis has damaging effects on the bone, making the bone brittle and weak. The bones become so weak that a little pressure on them can lead to a fracture. It also leads to the weakening of joints. People suffering from this condition lose trabecular bone mass which leads to the thinning of bones.
The other major effect of this condition is chronic pain on joints. This pain is caused by compression on the vertebrae. The bones press against each other or the surrounding nerves and tissue resulting in pain. Common areas where pain can be felt are knee shoulder; hip and wrist joints.
This disease can lead to overall loss of height because it can cause the spinal cord to bend forward resulting in Dowager's hump. Other effects include compression of the internal organs.
Causes
Osteoporosis is caused by shortage of calcium in the body. If a person does not takes sufficient amount of calcium which is required to make the bones strong and healthy then slowly and gradually there are chances that he/she may develop Osteoporosis. Other causes include decrease in the hormone estrogen (normally after menopause), smoking, sedentary lifestyle etc.
Treatments
Eating the right foods in the suggested quantity is helpful in preventing this disease. Adequate calcium intake is extremely necessary to make the bones strong and healthy. Calcium can be obtained from milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream; dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, and spinach; sardines. Exposure of the body to Proper sunlight is also vital as it helps the body to generate Vitamin D which helps the body to absorb the calcium. In severe cases, tablets of calcium and Vitamin D can be taken to minimize its effects.
Hence, this article explains the causes and treatments of Osteoporosis and all of us should keep in mind to take the sufficient quantity of vitamins and minerals needed for the proper growth of the body. You must educate all the members of your family to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
