Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be prevented and is also treatable. Prevention can only be by having a healthy lifestyle. Several treatments are now available to treat osteoporosis. Here is a guide on preventing and treatment of osteoporosis.

Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Therefore, lot of care must be taken by women in order to prevent bones from becoming weak and fragile with the increasing age. The best ways is to start taking preventing steps as soon as women complete the 30 years of their age. Having a healthy lifestyle is most important to maintain good bone health.

What are the causes of poor bone health in women?

Women who consume unbalanced diet and follow poor eating habits may get deprived of essential vitamins and minerals. The lack of nutrients may weaken the bones of such women and make them susceptible to bone health issues like osteoporosis. Cutting down calcium intake from diet or too much of exercising can also affect the bone health.

How can I prevent osteoporosis?

Taking right steps to build strong bones before the process of aging starts can help to prevent osteoporosis. A healthy lifestyle is also critically important for keeping bones strong. To help prevent osteoporosis, do the following:

Prefer Balanced and Calcium Rich Diet

Eat a balance diet rich in calcium (see Daily Calcium Requirements). You can include foods like dairy products, spinach, broccoli and nuts like almonds in your diet.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise regularly with weight-bearing activities like walking. Exercises like skipping, jumping, running and climbing stairs are also very useful to maintain stronger bones.

Avoid Smoking and Alcoholic Drinks

Do not smoke and limit alcohol intake. Smoking can reduce your body mass and limit your body’s capability to absorb calcium.

Reduce Caffeine Intake

High caffeine intake can wash out calcium that is supplied to your body through the food that you eat even before it is absorbed.

Do Not Ignore Other Vitamins and Minerals

Calcium can be better absorbed when it is supplemented with vitamin D. So, you must also include vitamin D rich foods in your diet along with calcium rich foods. Foods like oranges, cereals and egg yolks are good source of vitamin D. Intake of vitamin K rich foods is also good for boosting the bone density. Potassium in diet can also help in neutralising the acids that flush out calcium from the body.

Consult Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of osteoporosis or no longer have the protective benefit of estrogen due to natural or surgically induced menopause. Your doctor may suggest a bone density measurement at menopause through a safe and painless test that can help predict your chance of fracturing in the future.

Once I have osteoporosis, can anything really be done?

Although, there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are treatments available to help stop further bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. Today, doctors are better equipped to detect and treat bone loss in its earliest stages, so as to prevent the disease or lessen its impact. In addition, several drug therapies, now on the market, have been shown to be clinically effective in slowing down or reversing bone-loss process. The diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis should begin with an objective, quantifiable measurement of your bone mass and density (see Bone Densitometry).Preventing such disorders is always better. Bone health care cannot be ignored by women. As the age increases, women must become more cautious about their bone health. All women must be educated about the importance of taking care of bone health. Women must be aware of the age when they should start taking care of their bone health and the steps they must take to prevent osteoporosis before it is too late.