User:KOMF/Wiki4Cam Backups/Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is weakened bone by thinning and loss of bone density. Whereas osteopenia is mild bone loss, which is not as severe as osteoporosis, but it increases the risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a most common condition over the age of 50 years. Half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. The condition causes bones to become too weak and brittle that even mild stresses like bending over, lifting a light article or coughing can cause a fracture. Mostly it is due to low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in the bones.

Causes and risk factors

The condition occurs due to the failure of the body in forming the new bone, due to too much reabsorbtion of old bone, or both. Calcium and phosphate are essential for normal bone formation. In the youth phase the body uses these minerals to produce bones. If the body do not get enough calcium, or if it does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, the process of bone production may suffer. In the later phase of life calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue weaker. This can result in brittle, fragile bones that are more prone to fractures, even without injury. One of the leading causes of osteoporosis is lower estrogen level in women at the time of menopause. In men it is lower level of testosterone. Other causes and risk factors include being confined to a bed, cushing syndrome, excess corticosteroid levels due to ongoing use of medicines for asthma, certain forms of arthritis or skin diseases, and COPD, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, white women, especially those with a family history of osteoporosis, have a greater-than-average risk of developing osteoporosis, absence of menstrual periods, drinking large amount of alcohol, early menopause, eating disorders, family history of osteoporosis, low body weight, smoking, too little calcium in the diet, and use of certain medications, including steroids and antiseizure drugs.

Symptoms

There may not be any symptoms in the early stage of the condition. Later it may develop some symptoms such as bone pain or tenderness, fractures with little or no trauma, loss of height over time, low back pain due to fractures of the spinal bones, neck pain due to fractures of the spinal bones and stooped posture.

Examinatios and tests

In addition to case history, osteoporosis is diagnosed by using different laboratory investigations. These include dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (to measure the density of bones in the spine, hip and wrist which are the areas most likely to be affected by osteoporosis), ultrasound and quantitative computerized tomography (CT) scanning.

Diet

It is advised that atleast 1,200 milligrams per day of calcium, and 800 - 1,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D3 are to be taken. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium. Foods like cheese, ice cream, leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and collard greens, low-fat milk, salmon, sardines (with the bones), tofu and yogurt contain high calcium.

CAM therapies for osteoporosis

Acupuncture

A study was done with 42 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50-70. The study was conducted between March 1999-January 2000, and Zhong Yi Za Zhi, a journal of Chinese Medicine, administered it. All of the women who were diagnosed with osteoporosis were broken into two groups - the treatment and comparison group. The treatment group received acupuncture for six months. After six months, all the women in the treatment groups had in increase in bone density. As this study shows, acupuncture accompanied by supplementation of calcium and vitamin D is more effective for treating osteoporosis than without acupuncture treatment.

Ayurveda

According to ayurveda osteoporosis is a vata condition. Ayurvedic drugs such as ginger, long pepper and cinnamon, red clover, alfalfa, parsley, sage, aniseed, fennel, sarasparilla, licorice, false unicorn root, ladies slipper, wild yam, peony, black cohosh and passionflower are useful in osteoporosis.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy can be taken as complementary to calcium supplements and to correct the calcium metaboism. The homeopathic calciums are the most effective and are best applied in low potency, over long periods. Drugs like Argentum metallicum, Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Calcarea fluorica, Cortisone, and Symphytum are some of the useful remedies for osteoporosis.

Naturopathy

Calcium is available in many natural foods. Green leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens, chard and spinach, fruits, black berries, blueberries, juices of orange, lemon pineapple, papaya, red beet and carrot are to be taken more.