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Osteoporosis is a disease in which there is a decrease in bone mass, which causes bones to become more fragile, increasing the risk of fracture. In most cases, osteoporosis does not lead to the appearance of signs or symptoms, with the diagnosis being made after the occurrence of fractures, for example.
Osteoporosis is very associated with aging, since over the years the body gradually loses its ability to metabolize and absorb calcium, for example. However, some lifestyle habits can also influence the occurrence of osteoporosis, such as physical inactivity, poor diet and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Although this disease has no cure, treatment can be done with the aim of improving the person's quality of life and reducing the risk of fractures and associated diseases. It is important that the person has a healthy lifestyle, with the practice of regular physical exercises, and it may also be recommended by the doctor to use supplements or medications that help in the process of calcium reabsorption and formation of bone mass.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is most of the time asymptomatic and, for this reason, it is usually identified through a bone fracture after a slight impact, for example. In addition, the decrease in height by 2 or 3 centimeters and the presence of drooping or hunched shoulders may be indicative of osteoporosis. Learn how to identify osteoporosis.
From the evaluation of symptoms, the doctor can indicate the performance of an image exam that indicates the loss of bone mass, bone densitometry. This exam can be performed annually or every 2 years after the diagnosis of osteoporosis to adjust the dose of the medication.
Main causes
Osteoporosis is a disease very much related to aging, being more common in women after 50 years of age due to menopause. Other causes that can favor the development of osteoporosis are:
- Thyroid dysfunction;
- Autoimmune diseases;
- Calcium deficiency;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Nutritionally poor food;
- Smoking;
- Alcoholism;
- Vitamin D deficiency.
These situations cause the organism to not function properly, with an imbalance between bone formation and destruction, making bones fragile and more likely to fracture. Therefore, people who have been diagnosed with any of these changes should be monitored by the doctor to prevent the development of osteoporosis.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for osteoporosis should be done according to the guidance of the general practitioner or orthopedist, with the use of drugs that stimulate the production of bone mass, which helps to prevent fractures, usually being indicated.
In addition, the consumption of adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D or the use of supplementation, in addition to regular physical activity, such as walking, dancing and water aerobics, for example, can also help relieve the symptoms of osteoporosis. Understand how osteoporosis treatment should be.
How to prevent
To reduce the risk of osteoporosis, it is important that the person adopts good eating and living habits, so that they have a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as milk and derivatives, egg and fatty fish, for example, since calcium it is a fundamental mineral for the skeletal formation process, in addition to ensuring bone strength and participating in the processes of muscle contraction, hormone release and blood clotting.
In addition, it is indicated to be exposed to the sun for about 15 to 20 minutes during the hours of less heat, without using sunscreen, so that a greater amount of vitamin D is produced by the body, directly interfering with bone health, since the vitamin D participates in the calcium absorption process in the body.
This care helps to keep the bones strong and to delay the loss of bone mass, preventing the onset of osteoporosis, which is usually more frequent after the age of 50 and is characterized by a decrease in bone mass, which results in greater fragility of the bones and increased risk of fractures.
The prevention of osteoporosis should be done throughout life, starting in childhood through the adoption of simple habits, such as:
- Practicing physical activities, such as walking or running, since sedentary lifestyle favors the loss of bone mass. High-impact exercises, such as running, jumping, dancing and climbing stairs, for example, help to strengthen muscles, ligaments and joints, improving bone density. In addition, weight lifting exercises or on weight machines, promote the use of muscle strength, causing the strength of the tendons on the bones to increase the strength of the bone;
- Avoid smoking, as smoking is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis;
- Decrease the consumption of alcoholic beverages, since alcohol consumption is related to the decrease in calcium by the body.
In the case of older people, it is important that the house is safe to avoid falls and reduce the risk of fractures, as it is normal for bone mass loss to occur during the aging process. Thus, it is recommended not to have rugs in the house and in the bathroom to put non-slip floors and protection bars.
Check out the following video for more tips to have stronger bones and thus reduce the risk of osteoporosis: