Osteoporosis - Causes and Risk Factors

By Dr Jenny Tylee

Osteoporosis is the loss of bony tissue resulting in deformed and brittle bones. In osteoporosis the bones literally waste away as their mineral density is gradually lost, making them increasingly weak and fragile. This is a common cause of fractures in the elderly. Thinning of the bones leads to increased risk of fractures, particularly of the lumbar vertebrae, wrist, hip, shoulder and the femur, or thigh bone. It is possible to prevent and to treat osteoporosis.

However, you must take action. It is complete folly to depend on a wonder drug from orthodoxy. No magic medical cures exist and most medical management of this disease is very poor indeed, resulting in untold suffering and misery. In simple terms it is vital to avoid the causative factors in diet and lifestyle, ensure proper and balanced nutrients in your diet and obtain appropriate exercise.

It is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 worldwide have osteoporosis. To appreciate the broad risk profile of developing this disease consider the following factors that are associated with osteoporosis.

• Older age
• Caucasian or Asian race
• Low levels of estrogen (for women)
• Low levels of testosterone (for men)
• Early menopause - before 45 years (either natural or surgical)
• In young women, later menstruation and menstruation that has stopped for more than six months
• Family history of hip replacements
• Low body weight and thin to small build
• A loss of height or stooped posture
• Unexplained back pain
• Lack of exercise now or as a child
• Disabilities
• Long-term bed rest
• Excessive exercise
• Cigarette smoking
• Previous bone fracture
• Long term medication, including: corticosteroids heparin thyroxin antacids antibiotics and antifungals aspirin cholesterol lowering drugs ulcer medications
• High alcohol intake
• Diet that is low in calcium, zinc, vitamin D and magnesium
• High caffeine intake
• Eating disorders
• Chronic diseases of the kidney, lung, stomach and intestines, particularly malabsorption related conditions such as celiac disease.

As you can see from the list above there are many factors that can increase the risk, or likelihood, of developing this wasting disease. It can be as simple as consuming regular cola drinks. As reported in The Health Gazette, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that women who drink four or more cola beverages per week have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Consumption of carbonated soft drinks rose by 300 per cent in the US alone between 1960 and 1990 and cola drinks Coca-Cola and Pepsi remain two of the biggest-selling soft drink brands in the world. If you drink fizzy cola drinks and also consume coffee then right now is the time to improve your diet and lifestyle. The Health Gazette asked: What are you doing about osteoporosis? In that article we said: In the US, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, around 55 per cent of over 50s are at risk. That means around 44 million people. Of those, 10 million individuals are estimated to have the disease already and a further 34 million are estimated to have low bone mass. The peak time for building bone density in girls is between ages 12 to 19 years. Studies have reported that as high as 90% of girls in this age group do not even consume enough calcium. Sadly, this means a massive amount of suffering and disability will be with us for a very long time to come.

One myth that circulates is that osteoporosis is a disease of old women. In fact this disease affects men and women and although the disease tends to first cause signs and symptoms in later life, it does actually begin many years earlier. Perhaps you could evaluate your own situation with the following.

The one-minute risk test (adapted from the Osteoporosis Foundation)

Take the following test to gauge if you might have osteoporosis. If you answer yes to any of the following questions then you need to have the condition of your bones assessed.

• Have either of your parents broken a hip after a minor bump or fall?
• Have you broken a bone after a minor bump or fall?
• Have you taken cortisone tablets (cortisone, prednisone etc) for more than three months?
• Have you lost more than 3 cm (just over an inch) in height?
• Do you regularly drink alcohol?
• Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day?
• Do you frequently suffer from diarrhea (caused by problems such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease)?

For women:

• Did you undergo menopause before 45?
• Have your periods stopped for 12 months or more (other than because of pregnancy)?

For men:

• Have you ever suffered from: Impotence or lack of libido, or other symptom related to testosterone levels?

If you have assessed yourself as being at risk of having osteoporosis then apart from having the condition of your bones assessed you need to take action before it is too late. It is vital to avoid the causative factors in diet and lifestyle. Ensure that you take proper, balanced osteoporosis vitamin and mineral supplements (from healthproductssite.com/muscle-joint-bone-care.html) and that you obtain appropriate exercise. If you smoke you need to stop. If you smoke then Growerz.com can assist you as you quit. You need to cleanse your body of toxic material so that everything, including your bones and joints are able to work effectively.

Dr Jenny Tylee is an experienced health professional who is passionate about health and wellbeing. She believes that health is not just absence of disease and seeks to actively promote vitality and wellness through empowering others. She encourages people to improve their health by quit smoking, cleansing their body, taking essential, non contaminated essential vitamin and mineral supplements and many other methods, including herbal remedies. She also owns Healthy Living blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Jenny_Tylee