Your genes have an impact on the size and strength of your skeleton, but so does your lifestyle. This is where leading a healthy lifestyle can help. Investing in your ‘bone bank’ when you are younger helps you to resist bone loss and fractures. Bone strength increases with age. It also ensures that you contribute to your skeleton’s strength throughout your life. Strong muscles and bones improve your chances of staying healthy as you get older.
Bone is a living tissue that is constantly degraded and replaced. A porous bone is referred to as osteoporosis. Bones have a thick outer shell and an internal honeycomb-like structure. Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and become brittle, causing holes in the structure to grow larger and the bone to become less dense, so brittle that the inner structure begins to break down, even minor stresses such as bending over or coughing can result in a fracture, and a fall can result in a fracture.
Osteoporosis is commonly associated with the natural bone loss that occurs as we age. The hip, wrist, or spine are the most common sites for osteoporosis-related fractures.
Osteoporotic fractures or fragility fractures occur when bones break as a result of osteoporosis.
Fractures (broken bones):
If you have osteoporosis or weaker bones, this does not mean you will definitely have fractures or you are at imminent risk of breaking a bone. It simply means that your overall risk of breaking a bone is greater.
You will not notice that the inner structures of your bones have become weaker; however, weaker bones are more likely to break (fracture).
- What Causes Bones to get Osteoporosis?
There are numerous factors that can increase your risk of bone weakness, which can lead to osteoporosis and broken bones.
- The risk of osteoporosis and broken bones increases with age,
- Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.
- Genes inherited from your parents also play a role.
- Osteoporosis can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. (Early menopause before the age of 45, rheumatoid arthritis and anorexia nervosa.)
- Medications can also lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
For Example:
- Steroids or ‘glucocorticoids,’ such as prednisolone,
- Drug used to treat breast or prostate cancer.
- How to treat osteoporosis Condition?
A healthy lifestyle is essential for lowering your chances of osteoporosis and broken bones. However, it does not guarantee the prevention of osteoporosis.
If your bones have already lost a significant amount of strength or you are at a higher risk of fracture, you may require a drug treatment (medication) to reduce your chances of breaking a bone.
Although healthy living cannot replace the effects of drug treatment, positive lifestyle changes can help to improve bone strength. And it is never too late to begin.
Other options:
- Calcium, vitamin D and osteoporosis:
People with osteoporosis are frequently advised to take a vitamin D supplement containing 10-20 micrograms per day. This is especially important if you are older and taking medication to strengthen your bones. This is to ensure that you are receiving what you require.
- Exercise and osteoporosis:
Exercise is beneficial to bone strength, even if you have osteoporosis, and it rarely results in injuries or broken bones. If you have osteoporosis and are in good enough shape, try to incorporate some moderate-impact exercise like jogging or low-level jumping. Build up your level of exercise gradually, regardless of your age. This allows your bones to adapt and grow stronger without the risk of breaking. Choose lower-impact forms of exercise, such as walking, if you are older or less able, or if you have spinal fractures. Muscle-strengthening exercise with weights or resistance bands can still be beneficial, and the weight or resistance can be gradually increased over time. If you require assistance with proper technique, consult with an Orthopedic Doctor.
