Bone is a living tissue; it is always breaking down and rebuilding as part of the natural cycle. As a child and young adult, your body produces more new cells than those that die, resulting in stronger, denser bones. Your bones build density from infancy through adulthood.
A significant health problem for many is when bones develop Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 68% of whom are women. In the United States today, 10 million people already have osteoporosis and 34 million more have low bone mass (weak or thin bones); these people are at increased risk for fractures and osteoporosis.
When Osteoporosis strikes, the restoration process of healthy bone cells is thrown out of balance. Bones can become brittle, many times resulting in debilitating fractures. Bone mass should be at its peak in our late 20s or early 30s, but thanks to a poor diet and lack of exercise, many women are already losing bone density in their 20s.
Osteoporosis is caused due to non-absorption of calcium, resulting in a drop in bone density. Characterized by low bone mass and a slow deterioration of bone tissue, osteoporosis leads to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures.
With no symptoms or discomfort, this disease can go unnoticed for years until a fracture occurs. Fractures can have serious consequences, causing pain and debilitation. They all too often result in lost quality of life and long-term care dependence
Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men are. When a woman hits the age when menopause kicks in, her body stops creating normal hormones. Estrogen helps women's bones stay strong by helping to deposit calcium in the bones allowing the cycle of cell growth to work more efficiently.
Estrogen deficiency is an important factor in men as well as women. Other contributing factors are low vitamin D levels (which helps the body to absorb calcium more easily), advanced age, family history of osteoporosis, small and thin stature, smoking, alcohol and use of certain medications including steroids.
Although any bone can be affected, the most common fractures occur in the wrist, hips, and spine. Broken bones, especially hips, are major causes of disability for older people, both men and women and can be difficult to treat, sometimes requiring prosthetic hip reconstruction and painful rehabilitation.
Bone density tests are the single best way to predict your risk of fracture. Bone density partially depends on the amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals that your bones contain. When your bones contain fewer minerals, their strength is decreased. Over time fractures usually lead to pain, severe disability, or loss of ability to move around.
Osteoporosis can be prevented!
Make foods that are high in calcium part of your diet, including low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese; canned fish with bones, such as salmon and sardines; and dark-green leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard and broccoli. While vitamin D is easily absorbed through sunlight, most of us wear sun block that prevents absorption requiring that we supplement our source of vitamin D.
Regular exercise will also help you to build strong bones.
The path of recovery and prevention begins with making you’re an appointment for a physical therapy consultation at Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center.
Therese Rodda is the owner and a physical therapist at Friendship Heights Rehabilitation center. She spends, on average, 30 minutes with each patient, one to three times a week for several weeks. Her training in health through exercise includes an emphasis on raising awareness of the body so that each individual will be better equipped to continue the journey to full natural pain relief and optimum health.
Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center can help you to recover from and prevent osteoporosis related fractures.
If you have any questions, please contact Therese Rodda, P.T.
Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center
5530 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Ph: 301-656-6977 F: 301-656-6977
