Osteoporosis and Women

There are many women in the world today, who are affected by Osteoporosis and don't really know what to do with a condition like this. Lets understand this in depth.
Osteoporosis refers to a disease, wherein the bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.

In a condition like this, any bone can be affected, but bones that are of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.

Understanding the causes and preventive measures
Osteoporosis is typically a bone disease wherein the amount or density of the bone gets decreased and the structural integrity of trabecular bone is impaired. Cortical bone becomes more porous and thinner with time. This makes the bone weaker and more likely to fracture. The extent of Osteoporosis can measured on the basis of bone density. Using standardized bone density measurements of the total hip, the "normal" bone is greater than 833 mg/cm2.

Osteoporosis is more common today than it should be. Although we don't know how to completely stop the bone loss, we can take steps to prevent many of the fractures. The prevention starts in childhood, with good nutrition and exercise. Adequate quantities of Calcuim and Vitamin A,C,D and E are equally important. Fall prevention is especially important in the elderly. There are many medical papers that focus on medications to be administered for reducing the rate of bone loss. Most articles lay emphasis on, stress and life-style issues such as diet and exercise. However, what's most important to note that a combination of diet and exercise is what forms the prevention of fractures even more stable.

Sometimes doctors and their patients just want to take a medication for osteoporosis, without paying attention to these basic building blocks. The medications will not be as effective if there is inadequate calcium, exercise, or nutrition. Calcium carbonate in these cases is the most efficient source of calcium and also the least expensive.

If a supplement is prescribed, then it should be one with good dissolution. Chewable tablets are a safe bet. TUMS (or generic chewable calcium carbonate) would also be another important recommendation as it also is the most because economical form of calcium carbonate. Because calcium is absorbed better with food, it should be given with meals. Also, calcium carbonate is an antacid, and it causes a rebound gastric acidity when given on an empty stomach. The best bet for you would be to have it in a combination with vitamin E after dinner at night, as it induces good sleep as well.

By Prerna Salla
Published: 1/11/2005

Article from: www.buzzle.com