Table of Contents
What Is Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease due to which the thinning and weakening of bones occurs to an extent where they crack easily. The most commonly affected bones by Osteoporosis are hip bone, wrist, ribs and the spine. This is named as a ‘silent disease’ because no changes are noticed until the fracture of a bone, although it happens over the years.
Every bone is a living tissue made up of calcium, vitamin D and many other minerals. Our body breaks down the old bone tissue and replaces it with a new one regularly to keep our bones strong and dense. In people having osteoporosis, the process of breaking down of bones is more rapid than the replacement. That is why at the age of 40, more bone cells die than are produced.
Osteoporosis is very much different from osteoarthritis. Joint cartilage which covers the corners of bones sheds away in osteoarthritis.
Symptoms for Osteoporosis
Some symptoms of osteoporosis can be like these;
- Hump-Sometimes osteoporosis can result in a hump in the upper back.
- Fracture-A quick breakage of bone is noticed after a fall.
- Back pain– This can be the result of a fractured or collapsed vertebra in the spine due to spinal osteoporosis.
- Tooth loss- This can be the indication of the effect of osteoporosis on the jawbone.
- Risk factors
- It is very essential to know the risk factors for this which can include:
- Untimely menopause
- Smoking
- Too much alcohol drinking
- Having a family history of this disease
- Taking certain medications for a long time
- Undergone surgery like hysterectomy for the removal of the ovaries
- Being physically inactive for a long time
- Ageing process
- Having some inflammatory disease like asthma or arthritis
- Having a minute body frame
- Never take calcium or vitamin D tablets in the whole life
- Women tend to lose bones density rapidly during and after menopause because of the decrease in the estrogen levels. Men also lose bone mass due to ageing but slow as compared to women.
- Osteoporosis is the major cause of fractures in elder and postmenopausal women.
Home Remedies for Osteoporosis
These are becoming more popular nowadays. The aim to prevent osteoporosis is making the bones stronger and denser as early as possible.
Some important home remedies are such as:
Avoid smoking
Calcium absorption is decreased in people who smoke. Thus, they are at high risk of fractures as compared to non-smokers and also they take more time to heal.
Control on drinking alcohol
Generally, people taking more alcohol have lesser bone density and tend to lose bone more quickly. So they are at greater risk of having osteoporosis.
Hot and cold compresses
It can be very effective in case of pain. These help in the reduction of muscle pain and also for joint pain. Heat is also effective for joint stiffness. It can be done by using a cold or hot towel and also do not have any long-term side effect.
Epsom salt bath
These Epsom salt baths can help in relieving the pain all over the body, but very beneficial for joint pain. About two cups of Epsom salt can be added in a bucket of warm water and it can reduce the pain and swell around the joints due to the presence of magnesium in the Epsom salt.
Ginger
According to the studies, the long-term use of ginger may result in reducing osteoporosis-related problems. The moderate use of ginger is recommended because the overdose can result in heartburn, diarrhoea and an upset stomach.
Green tea
Green tea can help in decreasing the swelling. But it also should be taken moderately to avoid any side effects.
Turmeric
This can be very effective to decrease the pain and stiffness. To more benefits, it is better to take this in addition to a pinch of black pepper.
Stay active
Exercise can be very hard for hurting joints. But being active can help in reducing pain and even muscles are get strengthened which result in maintaining bone mass. This is quite enough to do 30 minutes of exercise daily. Slight pain can be noticed after exercising but don’t quit this completely. Biking, running, walking, yoga and swimming are the best options for staying physically active. Always consult the doctor before starting a new regimen.
Balanced diet
Eating a well nutritious diet rich in calcium and vitamin D proves to be very helpful.
Always consult your doctor in case of any severe symptoms.
