Osteoporosis is one of the bone disease people know today. In medicine, it is a disease where reduced bone strength boosts the risk of having a broken bone. It is usual in women and in the elderly.
Causes
According to EMedicine Health, osteoporosis is a result of an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. A point in time may happen when the body may not be able to form new bone cells or excessive old bones may be reabsorbed. Some circumstances also present the two conditions. As per the publication, lack of certain hormones stands the lead cause of osteoporosis. These hormones are estrogen in women and androgen in men. Also, osteoporosis is associated with menopause, a point when women stop having their menstrual flow. Other precipitating causes include lack of calcium and vitamin D-intake, lack of exercise (weight bearing), and other age-related modifications in a person’s endocrine function.
Signs and Symptoms
Osteoporosis weakens a person’s bones. As a result, it presents several symptoms, such as back pain, which is called by a fractures or collapsed vertebra; loss of height over time; a stooped posture; and a bone fracture that takes place much more easily than assumed, according to Mayo Clinic. As per the publication, osteoporosis generally does not present symptoms during its early phases. Medical consult should also be considered if the person went through early menopause or took corticosteroids for prolonged periods.
Home Remedies
While medical management is available for osteoporosis, home remedies may also be considered as supplemental interventions.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one agent that control may affect the progress of osteoporosis. According to Organic Facts, vinegar is believed to help boost the levels of calcium in the body. Conversely, it is believed that the acidic condiment aids increase effective calcium uptake from food. Salad is an advisable food to eat, since some salad variants have vinegar.
Fish and Sea Vegetables
Fish and marine vegetables help in the management and prevention of osteoporosis. According to Dr. Axe’s official website, fish contains omega-3 fats, which help decrease chronic inflammation, which is associated with the skeletal condition. To add, sea vegetables like kombu, agar, wakame, and nori are rich in calcium and other minerals that are critical for bone formation.
Prunes
Prunes do not just provide fiber to the body; it also helps prevent fractures and osteoporosis. According to Top 10 Home Remedies, this property has been evidenced by a study conducted by Florida State University. The research was published in the “British Journal of Nutrition” in 2011. Prunes are considered great sources of the antioxidant called polyphenols, which aid in the reduction of bone resorption or bone loss. To add, prunes contain decent levels of copper and boron, two minerals that help promote bone formation.
Prevention
Prevention is better than cure. The following are some ways to prevent osteoporosis.
Exercise
Physical activity is a key to preventing osteoporosis, as per Web MD. According to the publication, performing weight-bearing exercise has an antagonist effect against the progress of osteoporosis. It is added that a lot of physical activity during the teenage years also boost a person’s bone mass; thus, it helps decrease the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood.
Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is another act that helps prevent osteoporosis. According to Organic Facts, smoking increases the carcinogen levels in the body, making it prone to chronic diseases. Also, smoking hastens menopause in women; thus, they will experience a decline in estrogen, which is a contributing factor to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is not as severe as heart attack and cancer; however, it leaves a person susceptible to fall and injury. Thus, medical consult is also essential for proper assessment, planning, intervention, health education, and medical management evaluation.
