Osteoporosis

Introduction

Osteoporosis which means “porous bone” is a disease of the skeleton in which bone material is gradually and silently lost until the bone is porous, brittle, weak and fractures easily. Osteoporosis has been called a “silent epidemic” because bone loss progresses with no signs or symptoms till an advanced stage when back pain, height loss and fractures occur, mostly in the wrist, hip and spine.

Women in the menopausal stage are at the highest risk but bone loss can start in women as early as in their thirties.
One in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis in the UK. One in four women over the age of 60 will break a bone, and 14,000 people die each year as a result of osteoporosis fracture.
In the USA, 10million people over the age of 50 have osteoporosis and 33million have low bone density.
There are many undiagnosed cases of osteoporosis and low bone density as the diagnosis service is not easily available.

The Symptoms

• No symptoms initially.
• Back pain, height loss and fractures occur in the very advanced stage.

Who is at Risk?

• Women over 50 years are at highest risk
• Women over 35 years are at a reduced risk.
• Men are at low risk.

Those who are at risk or are exposed to the risk factors might like to consider **Nutritional consultation, Osteoporosis NTx Test, or a bone density scan.

The Causes

The following risk factors contribute in the development of osteoporosis, the risk increases with the number of factors one is exposed to.

• Gastric or small intestine surgery.
• Poor absorption (in Crohn’s disease), celiac disease, gastric insufficiency.
• Nutrient deficiencies and imbalances.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Smoking.
• Family history of osteoporosis.
• Over-active thyroid gland ( Hyperthyroidism).
• Lack of weight bearing exercise.
• Long term use of corticosteroids – for arthritis or asthma.
• Long term use of anticonvulsants.
• Never having been pregnant.
• Post menopause and premature menopause.
• Low calcium intake.
• Short and small bone structure.
• Underweight.

Screening for bone loss or measuring bone mass density is an important tool for early diagnosis and prevention, which for women should ideally start in the mid thirties. Bone mass loss or gain during a therapy can be monitored about twice or three times a year by the NTx osteoporosis test. Appropriate changes in your nutrition and lifestyle are a necessary part of any bone mass gain programme, regardless of the type of therapy that is being followed.