Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that results in reduced bone density, when the structure of deteriorating bone tissue can lead to fracture.

One can distinguish primary and secondary osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis is juvenile, idiopathic, postmenopausal (type 1) and senile (type 2). Secondary osteoporosis includes rheumatic diseases, endocrine system, digestive system, blood, kidneys, and many other states and genetic disorders.

Causes of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis most often affects women and older men. The causes of the disease may serve:

• lack of movement
• chronic diseases of the intestine and stomach
• structure of the skeleton
• endocrine diseases
• genetic predisposition
• excessive use of hormones, thyroxine, heparin, anticonvulsants, etc.
• disruption of the menstrual cycle
• some diseases

Alcohol abuse, smoking, lack of calcium and vitamin D3 in the body may also provoke osteoporosis.

It is very difficult to notice the presence of osteoporosis at an early stage. Bone pain with weather changes, brittleness of hair and nail, disorders in posture and dental problems are enough to seek medical attention.

First symptoms of osteoporosis:

• pain in the spine – the thoracic and lumbar spine – appearing after prolonged static load (for sedentary work, for example)
• reduction in growth
• vertebral compression fractures and femoral neck
• manifestations of periodontal disease
• leg cramps at night
• persistent pain in back and interscapular region

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease, accompanied by the growth of the bone mass and the disruption of the structure of the bone tissue. Due to the fragility of the bones Osteoporosis leads to fractures with minimal damage. Osteoporosis is developing for years.

Osteoporosis is manifested by pain in the lumbar and sacral spine, pelvis, probably a pain in the ribs, going to the ankle. Pain increases during exercises, as well as with weather changes. Osteoporosis can manifest general muscle weakness, and a feeling of heaviness in the interscapular region.

The most obvious symptoms of osteoporosis are fractures caused by even minor injuries (i.e. light falls).

Osteoporosis is also based on slowing bone loss by suppressing osteoblast function: to effectively cope with this ibandronic acid (Boniva). Boniva significantly reduces the risk of fractures by more than 60% if it is a prolonged use. The advice is to take the drug once a month.

Treatment of osteoporosis lasts a long time and should be under strict medical control and diagnostics. The treatment of osteoporosis is carried out in courses for 2-3 months of calcium supplementation in combination with vitamin D. These drugs are best taken with food in the afternoon.

In the treatment of osteoporosis in women hormone replacement therapy plays significant role. Hormone replacement therapy takes no longer than 4-8 years. Depending on the nature and forms of osteoporosis and the diagnostics’ results, the doctor may order other means.

Osteoporosis leads to fractures that determine a significant increase of disability and mortality, especially among the elderly.

Osteoporosis is a disease associated with increased bone fragility. Due to its prevalence, osteoporosis is an eloquent name of “the silent epidemic of the century.”
It is called epidemic, because osteoporosis is distributed across the planet at a mountain avalanche. At the present time, the disease has already affected some 75 million people in Europe, USA and Japan. Experts predict that in 50 years this figure will double. Probably the most affected countries are Asian countries and Latin American countries.

People experiencing shortage of calcium in the body may suffer from insomnia, and they are characterized by conditions such as constant feeling of cold (cannot warm up). Lack of calcium can be a symptom of osteoporosis. Other symptoms of osteoporosis include:

• Back pain
• Loss of bone mass
• The gradual decrease in growth, accompanied by kyphosis
• Fracture of the spine, hip or wrist

When you notice one or more symptoms of osteoporosis, you best as soon as possible see a doctor. Treatment of osteoporosis at an early stage is significantly more effective than treatment of neglected forms of osteoporosis.

Prevention of osteoporosis can and should take place. Modern diagnostic methods such as densitometry, can detect the early stages of the disease or predisposition to it.

Currently, there are a certain number of advanced methods of prevention and treatment of osteoporosis that can slow down the destruction of bone and extend your ability to full active life.