Osteoporosis is a serious illness that affects around 10 million Americans, most of them women. It’s a condition that gradually reduces the integrity of your bones, making them more fragile and prone to fractures.
If you or someone in your family has osteoporosis, it’s important to know as much as you can about this condition. A person who has osteoporosis can be very fragile, so they will need to be taken care of.
What is osteoporosis?
As mentioned earlier, this condition means that the bones get weaker; thus, could break easily. The bones have small hollow spaces that will start to grow when you develop osteoporosis. That’s when the outer layer of the become brittle.
This condition is more common among older people and women, but men can also develop osteoporosis. Around 53 million people in the U.S. either have osteoporosis or are in danger of developing it, so it’s a common illness.
What are its symptoms?
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know that they have this condition until they experience a fracture. But, there are still signs that can show if you or anyone you know might be suffering from osteoporosis. Here are the symptoms:
Brittle nails
Receding gums
Grip strength has weakened
You should also check your family’s health history to see if any of your relatives have this condition. Osteoporosis can be inherited, so if you have a family member with this condition, you should have yourself checked by the time you reach 30.
What are its causes?
Women between ages 45 and 55 are more prone to develop osteoporosis because of menopause. Menopause changes a woman’s hormone levels and this contributes to the development of osteoporosis.
Another primary cause of osteoporosis is age. According to doctors, people keep developing their bones until they reach the age of 30. Once you reach that age, your body will start to break down old bones much faster compared to its ability to rebuild them.
How can you prevent and treat it?
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent osteoporosis from developing further. If your family has a history of this condition, then you should start early in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Doctors say that by exercising regularly, eating nutritious foods, getting enough calcium, and taking vitamins, you can prevent osteoporosis from developing. The amount of calcium you should take is around 1200mg on a daily basis. You should also get at least 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily.
If you’re a woman over 50, you should increase the dosage of calcium and vitamin D. In order to know the amount, consult your physician. Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D, so it would help if you spend more time outside.
Osteoporosis can be a bane to anyone, but as long as you have yourself checked regularly, you can prevent this condition from taking control of your life. So, seek help from those clinics specializing in adult care in Lehi to get the treatment you need.
