Due to osteoporosis, bones become weak and brittle, making fractures possible even from little pressures like choking or bending over. Osteoporosis-related fractures are most usually found in the hip, wrist, or spine. Bone is a living tissue that undergoes continuous deterioration and replacement. Osteoporosis develops when the production of new bone is insufficient to counteract the loss of existing bone. Men and women of all races are susceptible to osteoporosis. The risk is greatest for white and Asian women, particularly older women who have passed menopause. In order to stop bone loss or strengthen already brittle bones, medication, a good diet, and weight-bearing exercise might be implemented.
How much calcium does an adult need to take in every day?
Depending on the age, varying amounts of calcium are required for strong bones and teeth. The National Institutes of Health advise the following intake amounts each day for adults:
The recommended daily calcium intake for adults is:
- Adults 19-50 years: 1,000 mg.
- Adult men 51-70 years: 1,000 mg.
- Adult women 51-70 years: 1,200 mg.
- Adults 71 years and older: 1,200 mg.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding teens: 1,300 mg.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding adults: 1,000 mg.
What causes osteoporosis?
Bone health can be affected by a variety of causes. For instance:
- Calcium intake: A diet lacking in calcium contributes to decreased bone density, early bone loss, and an elevated risk of fractures.
- Physical activity: Compared to more physically active individuals, those who are inactive have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Alcohol and cigarette use: According to research, drinking alcohol weakens bones. The risk of osteoporosis may also be increased by routinely consuming more than one alcoholic drink per day for women or two alcoholic drinks per day for males.
- Sex: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than males because they have less bone tissue.
- Size: Due to the possibility of having less bone mass available as you age, people who are exceedingly thin (body mass index of 19 or below) or have small body frames are at risk.
- Age: As you become older, your bones get thinner and weaker.
- Race and family history: If you are white or of Asian heritage, your risk of osteoporosis is highest. Additionally, if you already have a family history of fractures, having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis increases your risk.
- Hormonal levels: Loss of bone density can result from excess thyroid hormone. Due to a decline in oestrogen levels in women, bone loss accelerates significantly throughout menopause.
- Eating disorders and other conditions: Bone is weakened in both men and women who severely restrict their Nutrient Foods intake and are underweight.
- Certain medications: Corticosteroid drugs including prednisone, cortisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone damage bone when taken over an extended period of time.
What are symptoms of osteoporosis?
Symptoms of osteoporosis do not appear until osteoporosis has developed. Osteoporosis may not even manifest any symptoms in its early stages. As osteoporosis progresses, the following symptoms may appear:
- Breaking bones easily.
- Back pain.
- Stooped posture.
- Gradual loss of height.
Who is more likely to develop osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can affect people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, however some populations are at higher risk for the condition. Only one in twenty males over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, compared to roughly one in five women. Women are more prone to acquire osteoporosis if they are White or Asian. Among the additional osteoporosis risk factors are:
- A family history of shattered bones or osteoporosis.
- history of breaking a bone after the age of 50.
- Before menstruation cycles ended spontaneously, the ovaries had previously undergone surgery.
- Poor eating habits, such as not getting enough protein, calcium, or vitamin D.
- Inactivity or prolonged bed rest.
- The act of smoking.
- Heavy alcohol consumption.
- The prolonged use of specific drugs, including corticosteroids, proton pump inhibitors, and antiepileptic drugs.
- Hormone imbalances, such as too much thyroid hormone, too little estrogen in women, or too little testosterone in men.
- Underweight or a low body mass index.
As people age, their risk of acquiring osteoporosis rises. Women who are going through menopause may experience rapid bone mass loss for several years. The loss then slows down but keeps going after that. Men lose bone mass more slowly than women do. Men and women both have bone mass loss by the time they are 65 or 70 age.
What Nutrient Foods help prevent osteoporosis?
- Yogurt, plain, low fat, 8 ounces 415 mg per serving.
- Orange juice, calcium-fortified, 6 ounces 375 mg per serving.
- Cheddar cheese, 1.5 ounces 307 mg per serving.
- Milk, nonfat, 8 ounces 299 mg per serving.
- Tofu, firm, made with calcium sulfate, ½ cup 253 mg per serving.
- Salmon, pink, canned, solids with bone, 3 ounces 181 mg per serving.
How can I strengthen my bones to prevent osteoporosis?
The best method to ensure that you consume an adequate amount of calcium each day is to eat a range of nutritious meals from all the main food groups. For the body to properly absorb and utilize calcium from Nutrient foods, it’s critical to consume adequate vitamin D each day, either through dietary sources like fortified milk or from exposure to natural sunlight. Here are some simple tips for choosing calcium-rich foods:
- The most calcium-rich Nutrient foods are dairy products. Milk, yoghurt, and cheese are examples of dairy goods. Milk has 300 mg of calcium in a cup (8 ounces). The amount of calcium in skim, low-fat, and whole milk is the same.
- Vegetables that are dark green and have leaves are rich in calcium. All three vegetables—broccoli, kale, and collards—are excellent calcium sources, especially when consumed raw or just smoked.
- Around 200 mg of calcium can be found in a serving of canned salmon or sardines. It can be found in the fish’s soft bones.
- Foods manufactured from grains, such as bread, pasta, and cereal, may increase the intake of calcium. Fortified grains with minerals, such as calcium, are what you should seek out.
- In addition to cereal, calcium can also occasionally be found in tofu, soy and rice beverages, and fruit juices.
How can I keep my bones strong as I age?
You may take steps to avoid weakening bones at any age. Here are a few advises:
- Consume foods that are good for your bones: Consume adequate protein, calcium, and vitamin D each day. Calcium-rich Nutrient foods include low-fat dairy, leafy green vegetables, fish, fortified drinks, milk, and grains. If you have low vitamin D levels, consult your doctor about taking a supplement.
- Keep doing activities: Select weight-bearing exercises, such as dance, strength training, walking, hiking, and jogging. Your bones can get stronger and more dense with this kind of workout.
- Avoid smoking: since it raises your risk of having fragile bones.
- Limit your alcohol usage: Excessive alcohol drinking might be harmful to your bones. Don’t drink at all, or drink in moderation.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Strong indicators that a patient has osteoporosis include the patient’s gender, age, and the visible symptoms of the medical condition (height loss, easily shattered bones, dowager’s hump). Modern methods for evaluating bone mineral density (i.e. amount of calcium in the bones) and diagnosing osteoporosis use a technology called dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
What is the best and safest treatment for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis treatment involves reducing or halting bone loss to avoid fractures. Your doctor may advise lifestyle modifications and medicines to lessen your risk of fracturing a bone if test results reveal that you have osteoporosis or bone density below a specific level and have additional fracture risk factors.
- Bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen, and pharmaceuticals that alter how estrogen works in the body are examples of medications that reduce bone loss.
- Synthetic parathyroid hormone and medications that block the activity of the sclerostin protein are among the medications that aid in bone regrowth.
- Painkilling drugs like tramadol or its generic version, alprazolam can help with the pain.
- And if the pain is sever and not controlled by other medicines the your doctor may suggest you, medicines like hydrocodone or oxycodone.
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