OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a disease of bone, caused by a gradual demineralization process,
which will affect its density.The bones become brittle and weak and are therefore
more vulnerable to fracture or collapse.
Osteoporosis is sometimes discovered by chance during X-ray, where the bone
tissue appears more translucent. There are not usually any early symptoms or
warning signs. Osteoporosis is usually only discovered when a fracture has occurred
with minimal trauma being involved. Because of the dangers in some types of
fractures as in the neck of the Femur, (where hemorrhage can also occur and be
fatal) or vertebral body collapse where the spinal cord and or peripheral nerves can
be damaged, care is taken to monitor vulnerable patients. These include patients on
long term steroid treatment, post- menopausal women or women who have had a
total hysterectomy where Oestrogen levels have declined, and the very elderly.
Bone scans of the wrist, hips
and or spine can give good
indicators of bone density.
Demineralization is caused by
an imbalance between the natural
breaking down of bone tissue to
remodel it, and the depositing of
minerals such as calcium to both store in the body and rebuild new bone. It is known
that hormones such as Oestrogen encourage the depositing of calcium into the bone
tissue. If this stops there is an imbalance and more calcium is released from the bone
than is deposited.
In some sufferers a poor diet or nutrition absorption problem hampers calcium
uptake, and this can be corrected by a combination of oral calcium plus medication to
encourage its absorption. It may be necessary to take a drug that can reduce the
activity of the cells involved with the breaking down process. Calcium is naturally
absorbed better with vitamin D, and it is quite usual to see milky drinks and products
advertising enrichment with vitamin D. Taking extra vitamin D is only really essential if
the sufferer is housebound and gets no sunlight as this is how nutritional vitamin D is
converted in our diets.
Regular exercise strengthens bones and a good diet helps them to stay healthy.
Further information can be obtained from the National Osteoporosis Society Tel;
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