An invisible danger has been plaguing through the UK, responsible (according to the BBC) for 40 deaths a day and 200,000 broken bones a year. We are not referring to serial killers or drunk driving; we are referring to osteoporosis.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, sometimes also known as fragile bone disease, refers to an illness in which our bones weaken and break more easily. It happens when the gaps are created within the honeycomb mesh inside our bones, making them more brittle, particularly the wrist, hips, and spine.
It is often referred to as a silent epidemic because few people realize they have the disease, attributing their back pains to arthritis or simply old age. While this judgement isnt necessarily wrong, it is important to remember that osteoporosis is something different altogether. It causes many breaks each year, and brittle bones do not heal easily.
What are its causes?
Osteoporosis is usually caused by a combination of factors, the most important of which are age, gender, and genetics. If your parents have brittle bones that tend to fracture easily, chances are that you are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Bones also gradually lose honeycomb density as part of the natural aging process, so it isnt surprising that 50% of the British population suffers from some form of osteoporosis by the age seventy-five.
While osteoporosis has often been associated with growing old, recent studies conducted by the National Osteoporosis Society have uncovered that the disease affects younger people as well, especially those who are underweight.
When it comes to gender, studies have shown that women are more frequently affected by osteoporosis than men as women have smaller and weaker bones. This gets further aggravated by menopause: when women undergo menopause around the age of 50, they stop producing oestrogen " a hormone which gives the bones extra protection " causing the bones to be more exposed and brittle.
How is it prevented?
- Get the proper nutrition early on in life
- Getting plenty of calcium (and plenty of Vitamin D to absorb the calcium) is essential for healthy bones. Also avoid drinking too much alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drinks " these could disrupt the calcium balance in your body.
- Take regular trips to an osteopath for checkups
Treating Osteoporosis
- Sufferers are recommended to do gentle exercises every day, but nothing intense
- For women who have already undergone menopause, hormone replacements are available so the body can produce more oestrogen
- Special medications can be taken to prevent osteoporosis from getting worse: so it is important to get an osteopath to advise you on a treatment that is specific to your case and body type
While drunk drivers take more lives each year than osteoporosis does, the silent threat is responsible for many casualties. Yet as long as you manage your diet and visit an osteopath on a regular basis, you have done your part to ensure that you bones and body remain healthy. - 16004
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, sometimes also known as fragile bone disease, refers to an illness in which our bones weaken and break more easily. It happens when the gaps are created within the honeycomb mesh inside our bones, making them more brittle, particularly the wrist, hips, and spine.
It is often referred to as a silent epidemic because few people realize they have the disease, attributing their back pains to arthritis or simply old age. While this judgement isnt necessarily wrong, it is important to remember that osteoporosis is something different altogether. It causes many breaks each year, and brittle bones do not heal easily.
What are its causes?
Osteoporosis is usually caused by a combination of factors, the most important of which are age, gender, and genetics. If your parents have brittle bones that tend to fracture easily, chances are that you are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Bones also gradually lose honeycomb density as part of the natural aging process, so it isnt surprising that 50% of the British population suffers from some form of osteoporosis by the age seventy-five.
While osteoporosis has often been associated with growing old, recent studies conducted by the National Osteoporosis Society have uncovered that the disease affects younger people as well, especially those who are underweight.
When it comes to gender, studies have shown that women are more frequently affected by osteoporosis than men as women have smaller and weaker bones. This gets further aggravated by menopause: when women undergo menopause around the age of 50, they stop producing oestrogen " a hormone which gives the bones extra protection " causing the bones to be more exposed and brittle.
How is it prevented?
- Get the proper nutrition early on in life
- Getting plenty of calcium (and plenty of Vitamin D to absorb the calcium) is essential for healthy bones. Also avoid drinking too much alcohol, caffeine, and fizzy drinks " these could disrupt the calcium balance in your body.
- Take regular trips to an osteopath for checkups
Treating Osteoporosis
- Sufferers are recommended to do gentle exercises every day, but nothing intense
- For women who have already undergone menopause, hormone replacements are available so the body can produce more oestrogen
- Special medications can be taken to prevent osteoporosis from getting worse: so it is important to get an osteopath to advise you on a treatment that is specific to your case and body type
While drunk drivers take more lives each year than osteoporosis does, the silent threat is responsible for many casualties. Yet as long as you manage your diet and visit an osteopath on a regular basis, you have done your part to ensure that you bones and body remain healthy. - 16004
About the Author:
Andrew Mitchell, clinical director of the Osteopath Network, writes papers about musculo-skeletal conditions and Brentwood osteopaths. The Osteopath Network has more than 550 clinics located throughout the UK and offers treatment at weekends and after hours.
