Living with Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bone", is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As the bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs "silently" and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is one of the widespread diseases in the Arab region. It is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. Osteoporosis literally leads to abnormally porous bone that is compressible, like a sponge. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures (breaks) in the bones.
Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium, all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone to fracture. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture) or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). The spine, hips, ribs, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis although osteoporosis-related fractures can occur in almost any skeletal bone.
Treatment and prevention are indispensible for living with osteoporosis.
Prevention:
- Constant follow-up every 6 month, to undergo the bone-density test.
- Taking 400 IU of Vitamin D a day.
- Taking an adequate quantity of calcium (1000-1500mg) a day.
- Exercise (light running) regularly, to preserve the bone health.
05 . Stopping smoking, drinking, and avoiding excessiveness thinness.
Treatment:
There are some medications meant to release pain, decrease disability and the quality of life.
(Used only under the doctor's supervision)
- Hormone Replacement therapy: to compensate the estrogen, as the body ceases to secrete it on reaching the menopause.
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators: they function as a hormone affecting bones, but do not have any impacts on uterus or breast. They, thus, have less side effects than hormones. An example is Raloxifene.
- Calcitonin: Calcitonin is natural hormone produced by the body. It stops the activity of phagocytic cells, responsible for bone erosion, and stops the loss of the bone substance. It is also useful for relieving pains, especially spinal pains.
- Bisphosphonates: it a harmonic therapy, effective in abating the activity of phagocytic cells, responsible for bone erosion, and stops the loss of the bone substance, such as ALendronate and Residronate.
- Drugs stimulating the bone anabolic cells: such as Teriparatide.
- Active Vitamin D: such as calcitriol, alpha calcidol , and N-alpha, which stimulate the absorption of calcium, by affecting the cells of bones and kidneys, to the effect that it diminishes the expulsion of calcium with urine.
- Calcium: Women suffering from osteoporosis should take adequate intake of calcium.
- Anabolic steroids: Steroids are effective in stimulating the formation of bones, thus growing the bone substance. It basically used for athletes, but it is scarcely used for women with osteoporosis.
- Fluoride: Fluoride is effective in increasing the skeletal bone density, and it has been fairly successful in the treatment of women with osteoporosis or spinal fractures. It increases the quantity of bones, though less effectively. Fluoride is scarcely used.
Following are some helpful tips to avert fracturs:
Do not use high-heel shows, and put on, instead, comfortable shoes.
Avoid walking on the bare floor, and try to keep walking on carpets to evade falling.
Maintain a good residential lighting.
Frequently examine your eye, as the sight gets impaired as a result of diabetes and long exposure to the sunlight.
Use sticks and crutches if need be.
Avoid walking when under the influence of hypnotics.
Cover the floor of the bathroom with a carpet to evade sliding.
Provide good lighting near the bed, and light it up when getting out of bed.
Provide a number of wireless phones here and there in your apartment, to reduce hasty walking.
Use the stair-rod when going up or down the stairs.
Provide handles at the bathroom, near the lavatory and the bathtub.
Avoid walking in socks, to minimize the risk of sliding.