The benefits of good health can not be stated enough, highlighting the importance of healthy living. Many factors are considered before you can genuinely say you are healthy, and it involves the wellness of all the body parts.
Thanks to health sciences, we know how to ensure good health by practicing healthy lifestyles. But it is only natural for the body to grow weaker as we enter advanced ages.
Of course, we all want to live to our old ages for many reasons, but this period can only be enjoyed in good health of mind and body. But unfortunately, the body automatically weakens once you enter this stage, leaving you susceptible to sickness and diseases that take the fun out of aging.
One condition that older adults commonly experience is osteoporosis, and it is often a very discomforting condition to live with.
Younger adults can also suffer osteoporosis, but the condition is widespread among older people. Luckily, this condition can be prevented and controlled, and this article will explain the five key secrets to osteoporosis prevention.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens the bones and makes them more likely to break. It is often characterized by thinning, which occurs due to a decrease in the density of the bone. Typically, even healthy bones consist of tiny spaces within.
But when this condition strikes, the spaces increase, forcing a reduction in the bone density. Over 50 million adults in the United States either suffer from this condition or face very high risks of developing it eventually.
As earlier stated, osteoporosis can affect anybody. But adults over 60 are prone to this condition and may be more affected by it. In fact, about 25% of women and 5% of men over 60 years old suffer from this condition. People with this condition can break a bone anytime, and even a subtle sneeze can lead to a fracture.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
One of the biggest dangers of osteoporosis is that it does not have apparent symptoms at the initial stages. Most people with this condition only find out they have a problem after the disease has reached an advanced stage.
In fact, many of them do not discover their predicament until they experience a fracture. The best way to avoid this adverse effect is by preventing and managing the condition, which is only possible when you discover it earlier. Here are some early symptoms of osteoporosis.
- Height Loss: One of the earliest signs of osteoporosis is diminishing height. If you notice a height loss of up to 2 inches or more, the chances are that you may have this bone disease.
- Decreasing Gums: your teeth are connected to your skeletal system through the jawbones, which can warn you of imminent osteoporosis disease. Still, in the early stages, you will notice your gums gradually receding to expose more teeth.
- Frequent Fractures: If you notice frequent fractures involving your wrists, hip, backbone, or other bones, you should check with your doctor immediately. This is often a late symptom of osteoporosis, and you must seek immediate treatment to avoid further damage.
- Body Pains: As soon as your bones weaken due to this condition, you will notice slight pains in different body parts. Osteoporosis does not cause these pains but weakens your bones, so they can hardly deal with regular minor stress.
These are some of the most experienced symptoms of osteoporosis, and you should not hesitate to consult your doctor as soon as you notice any.
Osteoporosis Prevention
The primary danger of osteoporosis is the risk of bone fracture, which makes it a dreaded condition. But the good news is that this condition can be prevented with the right programs. Here are the five key secrets to osteoporosis prevention.
- Drug Therapy: Some drugs can be used to treat bones fractured due to osteoporosis. But what most people do not know is that these drugs are helpful for the prevention of this condition. Here are some that are effective for this purpose.
- Estrogen agonists
- Calcitonin
- Teriparatide
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Dieting: It may be a gentle technique, but the proper diet can also act as a valuable medication for osteoporosis patients. However, the right meal plan must include many fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Exercises: Exercises are among the common ways to strengthen the bones and the surrounding muscles and may be precisely what you need to prevent osteoporosis. However, the wrong set of exercises may increase fracture risk. On the other hand, the right exercises can improve posture and make you less susceptive to falls that can break your bone.
- Calcium Injection: Osteoporosis generally reduces bone density by reducing the amount of calcium they contain. Hence, regular calcium injection can effectively strengthen bones weakened by osteoporosis. Vitamin D can also help your bones absorb natural calcium in your body, making it a helpful supplement for patients with this condition.
- Braces: Braces are among the most efficient tools for osteoporosis patients that help prevent bone breakage. It is often worn around the affected areas for extra support, especially in motion. Muscles around affected bones can provide little support, but they often take on more responsibilities. Hence, a brace can be introduced to shore up these muscles and keep them functional. Here are some excellent braces for osteoporosis patients.
- The Adjustable Lumbosacral Corset Brace: This great brace provides the best support for the lower back and spine.
- The Plus Size Patella Short Knee Brace: This brace helps keep the knee bones in place during exercises. It also helps secure the knee cap from popping when subjected to intense pressure.
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is a relatively widespread disease, and several controllable and uncontrollable factors can contribute to triggering it. It is also noteworthy that this condition is not easily curable.
However, it can be prevented from becoming adverse, and this article has highlighted the five essential secrets to osteoporosis prevention.
