Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a silent and dangerous disease, but there are medicines.
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY OTHER WOMAN AND EVERY FIVE MEN OLDER THAN 50 YEARS suffer osteoporotic breakdown?
The consequences of osteoporotic fracture are severe, since one in five women with a hip fracture die within the first year after the collapse. It is necessary to take action before it is too late.
Osteoporosis can be detected with the help of a safe and quick checking by measuring bone mineral density. For all the above facts MEASUREMENTS BMD, recommend it to people:
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with bone fractures caused by violence
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fracture in adulthood because of a small fall or impact
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women over the age of 65 years and men aged over 70 years
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smokers
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with the excessive consumption of alcohol
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low body weight
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with the beginning of menopause before 45 years
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the loss of menstruation for long periods (more than 1 year)
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who are being treated with certain drugs (glucocorticoids, inhibitors of hormones ...)
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with certain diseases, for example thyroid disease, rheumatic diseases ....
OSTEOPOROSIS - quiet and dangerous disease
Osteoporosis is by far the most common chronic disease of the bone, which is characterized by low bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture demolished, resulting in poor quality bone and increased bone fragility. Patients with osteoporosis can break bones already at lower lows with standing height in normal everyday chores (folding, lifting), in which healthy bone is not broken. Osteoporosis is a very common disease and with increasing age of the population is becoming a huge problem. Among patients with osteoporosis, are 80% of women, because they have less bone mass, in addition, due to the rapid decline in female hormones after menopause accelerates bone degradation.
It is estimated that every other woman and every fifth man after fifty years until the end of life suffer osteoporotic fractures. The most typical osteoporotic fractures are fractures of the wrist, vertebral fractures and hip fractures. Such fractures can lead to temporary or permanent loss of the ability to perform everyday activities, causing loss of independence, severe pain and greatly impair quality of life, but it can also cause death of the patient.
To be aware of the risk of osteoporosis and to make our friends and family be aware of this problem is very important, as this can help someone save many unnecessary complications.
DETECTION
Osteoporosis is a silent disease. As long as this does not lead to the collapse of practically does not cause problems, so it can be detected only by the timely measurement of bone mineral density. Standard method for the measurement of bone mineral density, densitometry, with the aid of very low doses of X-rays quickly, safely and accurately measure bone mineral density, allows the diagnosis of osteoporosis risk assessment of fracture and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Measurement are recommended to all who belong to the group with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
Test yourself with a short test to assess the risk for osteoporosis.
PREVENTION
It is recommended that the daily diet contains 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium - most of the calcium in our diet provide milk and milk products, to compare, a pint of milk contains about 250 mg of calcium. In addition, calcium is essential for healthy bones vitamin D, which in small quantities ingested with food (especially in the more oily sea fish), while the majority is formed under the influence of UV rays on our skin and retention in the sun. As a result of UV rays can be a development of skin cancer, so it is advisable for more vulnerable people to take vitamin D supplements. We must provide regular physical activity,'s, stop smoking and not consume alcohol in large quantities.
TREATMENT
The basic goal of osteoporosis treatment is to prevent fractures. We heal those people where occurrence of fractures is higher. Fortunately, we have effective drugs that reduce the risk of fractures even by half. In addition to medication, it is essential to ensure sufficient calcium in the diet or with supplements and added vitamin D. The length of treatment is different, but it must last at least three years, if necessary, even for much longer.
Test of the International Association for osteoporosis risk assessment for osteoporosis:
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Have any of your parents had osteoporosis and broke their hip at a lesser impact or fall?
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Have you experienced a fracture after a small blow or fall?
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Are you taking corticosteroids for more than 3 months?
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Have you shortened by more than 3 cm?
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Do you regularly drink alcohol in large quantities?
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Do you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day?
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Do you have frequent diarrhea (due to illness like Celiac disease or Crohn's disease)?
Women
Have you entered menopause before 45 years of age?
Have you ever lost your periods for 12 months or more (in addition to pregnancy or Menopause)?
Male
Have you ever had problems with impotence, decreased libido, or other symptoms associated with a decrease in testosterone?
If you answered on a question with yes, you are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis. In this case, the bone density measurement is highly recommended.
Source: Ambulance for osteoporosis GAIA