Osteoporosis: What is it?
In today’s world, exercise is crucial. Whenever you visit your doctor, almost every checkup ends with them advising you to stay healthy, and what’s healthier than exercise? The easiest way for teens to get in their daily dose of exercise is to participate in sports: tennis, basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, and so much more! Now imagine a disease that takes away your ability to play those sports. Is it possible to still maintain a healthy lifestyle?
Think of it this way: bone is living tissue that is broken down and replaced overtime. Osteoporosis occurs when new bones are unable to be created, or when they are created at a much slower pace than the body requires. This creates a huge gap between when someone needs new bones and when the new bones actually form. The formation of someone’s new bones simply becomes too slow to keep up with replacing their old bones. Therefore, Osteoporosis can increase the risk of bone fractures or other injuries due to the lower bone mineral density of the individual.
Complications & Effects on Lifestyle:
In 2021, Osteoporosis contributed to 2,366 deaths, making up 1.4% of death rates that year. In the early stages of bone loss, people with this disease tend to see no apparent signs or symptoms. It is not until the bones start to weaken that then begin to notice the signs. Back pain is one of the most common symptoms of Osteoporosis, and usually caused after a major break in the bones of the spine. Other common symptoms include gradual loss of height, worsened posture, and the tendency to break bones much more easily than normal. The most serious complications of Osteoporosis are bone breaks that occur in the spine or hips. While hip fractures are often a result of a fall, fractures to the spine can occur even without the individual suffering a sort of fall. Hip fractures often result in disability, and increase the risk of an individual’s death during the first year after the injury. However, in spine fractures, the vertebrae of the spine weaken and collapse.
People suffering from this disease have to be extremely careful with what they do and how they spend their time. To maintain a healthy lifestyle with Osteoporosis, an individual is expected to change their way of living, become extremely cautious in regards to their safety, and take certain supplements and medication. Although many people do pass away from the complications from this disease, it is not a fatal illness and can be treated if caught early to improve the effects of it as an individual ages. Many people with Osteoporosis cannot jump, run, lift heavy objects with poor form, stretch, play contact sports, or participate in any activities where they may be injured easily.
Risk Factors;
The bones of the human body are constantly being renewed. As the body ages, its process in making new bones after the old ones break down slows. After one’s early 20’s and by the time they reach their 30’s, the bone mass becomes lost faster than created. A person’s likelihood of developing Osteoporosis depends on how much bone mass they had in their youth, and in a variety of other factors.
While many factors like lifestyle changes are in one’s control, a majority of the factors contributing to Osteoporosis cannot be changed. Sex, age, race, family history, and body frame size are some of the biggest contributions that affect Osteoporosis. However, hormone levels, dietary factors, steroids & medications, and medical problems all play a role in determining how likely a person is to get diagnosed with Osteoporosis.
Prevention:
While there are a lot of factors out of one’s control, there are a lot of things one can participate in to prevent their likelihood of developing Osteoporosis as well. Reducing alcohol consumption, smoking, and the intake of drugs not only reduces fatality risks, but also creates a stronger, healthier individual. Drinking foods and drinks that contain calcium or taking calcium supplements strengthen the body’s bones. Sunlight, cod, liver, trout, and salmon are excellent sources of Vitamin D. Vitamin D not only helps the body to absorb calcium, but also improves bone health as well. Lastly, good nutrition and regular exercise are an essential aspect of keeping bones healthy. Eating healthy foods that are not made or processed in factories is much needed, especially for youth. Staying fit and in shape is a big factor that people can control, and plays a huge role in health as the body ages.
Treatments:
While there is no cure for Osteoporosis, treatments can help slow bone loss and prevent fractures in bones. Although Osteoporosis is not fully reversible, in some cases brown regrowth may be possible. Complete bone regeneration is not possible, but certain medications strengthen and help bones to regrow faster by increasing their density. Natural and medical treatments are used to stop or slow bone loss which becomes crucial in lessening chronic pain. Common medicines recommended by doctors include bisphosphonates, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone analog, and RANKL inhibitor.
Article Written By: Keira Crasta
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