"Supplements" - Calcium storage prevents disease
Osteoporosis (literally "porous bone") sometimes is called a "silent" disease because there are often no symptoms of a problem until a bone breaks. It causes previously strong bones to become brittle and can lead to painful and potentially debilitating breaks, often resulting in serious changes in posture and limited mobility.
Eighty percent of individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis are women. It effects 15 percent of women aged 50 to 59, 30 percent of women older than 60 and 70 percent of women 80 years or older.
But it is not just a disease of women. In the United States, 2 million men have osteoporosis. One in eight men will suffer an osteoporosis-related fracture.
The young are not immune from the disease, either. Young women who experience early menopause or have a hysterectomy are at risk for low bone density. Crash diets, diets low in calcium or eating disorders also can increase the risk. Smokers or individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol are more likely to develop osteoporosis, no matter the age or gender. Other risk factors include fair skin, a family history of osteoporosis, sedentary lifestyle, those with thyroid or kidney problems or those who use steroids.
Calcium is crucial in muscle contraction and in the clotting of blood. If there is not enough calcium available for the body, it will be taken out of the bones. During the pre-teen and teenage years, we put a lot of calcium into our bones without taking much out. By the time women reach their 30s, they begin to take more calcium out than they deposit. This is why it is crucial that we store plenty of calcium in the bones as early in life as possible.
The bones are more likely to store calcium when they are being stressed through regular exercise. A good predictor of strong healthy bones in older age is an active lifestyle as a prepubescent girl.
Osteoporosis-related fractures are most common in the hip, spine, wrist or rib, although any bone can be affected. Eighty percent of post-menopausal fractures are due to osteoporosis. The rate of hip fractures doubles each decade after age 50. Other symptoms include deep pain (often generalized), loss of height, loss of correct posture and rounded shoulders.
Treatment of osteoporosis is a team approach; medications can help increase the bone density, dietary changes will improve calcium consumption and absorption, and regular exercise will encourage the bones to store the calcium.
A physical therapist can help in many ways. A strengthening program can restore the density of the weakened bone through weight-bearing exercise. It is crucial to use specific exercises to strengthen the weakened bone while protecting the body from further injury. Stretches can lengthen postural muscles. Education is available in the use of assistive devices and instruction in balance strategies. A therapist also can make recommendations for home modification to avoid safety hazards.
The best medicine is always prevention. By watching your diet, using calcium supplements and getting plenty of exercise, you can minimize your risk of developing osteoporosis."
