What is Osteoporosis, Its causes, Medication & Prevention - physiotherapymaterial

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition of bone that results in decreased mineral content and weakening of the bone. This weakening can lead to fractures, especially of the spine, hip. and wrist and weight-bearing joints. It can also cause pain  Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, 80% of them women, and an additional 34 million individuals are at the risk due to decreased bone mass.

Diagnosis:

Osteoporosis can be determined by the T-score of a bone mineral density (BMD) scan. World Health Organisation has established the following criteria:

Normal: -1.0 or higher

Osteopenia: -1.0 to -2.4

osteoporosis: -2.5 or less

A decrease of 1 standard deviation represents a 10% to 12% loss  of BMD

 Osteoporosis is caused by/ Risk factors:

Osteoporosis is caused by and the risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Female sex

• Increasing age; small, thin-boned

• Ethnicity (White and Asian women have the greatest risk); family history; sex hormones.
• Unsual menstrual cycles and estrogen loss due to menopause may increase risk); anorexia,

• Diet (low in calcium and vitamin D); medication use (especially glucocorticoids or some anticonvulsants)

•  A sedentary lifestyle

• Smoking and excessive alcohol.

•  Changes in lifestyle

• Including increasing weight-bearing activities 

• A healthy diet and certain medications may prevent osteoporosis and slow progression of the education

Now the question comes what is the most effective treatment for osteoporosis?

If we talk about the most effective medication for osteoporosis then  this will be Fosamax, Prolia both have a great effect on osteoporosis treatment

If we talk about Physical Therapy for osteoporosis 

Weight-Bearing Exercise Like:

• Walking

• Running

• Jogging (if bone density is more than -3.0)

• Heel Drops

• Stomping.

Resistance Exercises Like:

• Weight lifting with proper guide.

• Gravity resistance exercises like push-ups, single heel raises, yoga in neutral spine position.

• Balancing exercise 

• Strengthening

• Mobilization

• Stabilization

what does osteoporosis look like

Prevention:

 

• Having a diet full of vitamins 
• Always eat calcium-rich foods.
• Absorb maximum vitamin D.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid any drug.
• Limit caffeine.
• Do physical activities daily.