Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become thin and can results in increases breakability. Risks of osteoporosis include aging, family history, low body weight, low sex hormones or menopause, smoking, and some medications. Women have a higher risk however men can also suffer from bone loss. High doses of cortisone and thyroid can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. There is no pain when you have osteoporosis until you break a bone. Prevention and early detection are essential to stop and slow bone loss. A bone density of the hip and spine is the best test to determine the state of your bones. Screening techniques such as checking the wrist or the ankle can find those at risk. But the best test is to check the hip and the spine. Other tests such as blood or urine for n-telopeptide (protein that is part of the bone that is released during bone degradation), vitamin D and calcium can be helpful in determining the best medical treatment.

There are medications available to treat osteoporosis but many of them have undesirable side effects. Combining nutrition, lifestyle and supplements such as strontium, boron, and silica can help to slow bone loss and may make the bones stronger.

Hormone replacement therapy for men and women is recommended in some cases to reduce the risk of bone loss. Osteoporosis is a preventable disease and bone density screening should be preformed at least by the age of 65 or earlier if you are at risk.