One in three women aged over 50 years will experience at least one osteoporotic fracture. Find out what is osteoporosis, how can be treated, but especially how can be prevented.
In summary, osteoporosis is decreased bone density, which has the effect of weakening the entire system and occurrence of bone fractures. It is a disease that manifests itself, especially women being “victims” of the disease.
Bone health is built in childhood. Calcium intake and vitamin D contribute to healthy and harmonious development of bone. But because the bones are like any other living tissue, need support over time from us to recover, meaning a healthy diet (which includes calcium and vitamin D) but also physical activity. Lack of these will lead to bone degradation and, eventually, to osteoporosis. After 50 years of age, each one of every three women and one in five men will do, throughout life, an osteoporotic fracture.
Because bone loss occurs gradually and painlessly, usually no symptoms would indicate that a person develops osteoporosis. This is one reason that osteoporosis is often called the “silent epidemic.” The first sign of osteoporosis is the occurrence of fractures. In some cases, but not all, back bent and height loss may be the only visible signs that a person is suffering from osteoporosis and has probably, already vertebral fractures.
Risk factors that can not be changed are age, female sex, family history, previous fractures, race / ethnicity (whites are prone to the appearance of the disease), menopause, etc.. But there are factors that can be modified, such as heavy drinking, smoking, low body mass index, poor nutrition, vitamin D, eating disorders, sedentary or low dietary intake of calcium. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis, and the average age at which menopause is installed is about 50 years
A simple investigation that do not involve any pain, is to determine bone density and can be made on the recommendation of a physician.
As you noted, you can do a lot of things to maintain bone health. Lifestyle changes can save you from many troubles, especially bone mass built during your youth strongly influence the risk of suffering osteoporotic fracture later in life.
Nutritional habits and lifestyle to prevent excessive bone loss. These include: adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D (recommendations vary between 800 and 1300 mg / day, depending on age), exercise, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Besides lifestyle changes in diet, if osteoporosis is diagnosed, doctors may prescribe drug therapy.