Osteoporosis: Early detection is key to bone health

Osteoporosis occurs when the body does not generate enough new bone formation to compensate for old bone reabsorption. This imbalance causes bones to weaken, leaving them more susceptible to breaks and fractures. The most prevalent cause of osteoporosis is hormone loss – for men, the hormone is androgen, and for women, it’s estrogen.

Although osteoporosis is commonly thought of as an older woman’s condition, the damage actually starts at a young age. And, despite the fact that osteoporosis does occur in four times as many women, men are also susceptible to developing the condition.

Osteoporosis Treatment – What a Chiropractor Can Do For You

There is no cure for osteoporosis, so treatment methods are intended only to bolster bone density and either prevent the condition from occurring or slow its progression. There are various medications available that can help slow down or prevent bone loss.

Ongoing chiropractic care can also help alleviate pain associated with osteoporosis or help treat an osteoporosis-related injury. Also, the treatment can help you increase or maintain mobility and range of motion, which can help you protect yourself from falls and fractures. Be sure to notify your chiropractor of your condition before you begin, so he or she can tailor treatment to your needs.

Living With Osteoporosis

Like osteoarthritis, which involves the deterioration of cartilage, early detection of osteoporosis is the best way to limit the harmful effects – if you can catch the first signs of bone-density loss, it’s possible to take measures to prevent fractures, which can help you live a normal and active life. Here are a few lifestyle changes that can both help prevent the disease and help lessen its effects:

• Exercise. Although exercise does not have a significant impact on bone density, it can help you increase balance and strength, which can help prevent or decrease the severity of falls. (Consult a doctor before starting any exercise program.)
• Quit smoking. Excessive smoking, particularly if you’ve smoked for years, can cause a significant decrease in bone density.
• Take calcium and vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D intake are often associated with decreasing osteoporosis, but it’s important to remember that they are not treatment methods, but rather preventive measures. Supplements should not be used in lieu of other treatment methods.