Osteoporosis

As more people live longer osteoporosis or “brittle bone disease” has become a major health concern. It affects far more women than men, though either sex can suffer the progressive loss of bone density that leads to fractures of the wrists, spine or hips.  Bone is not a static tissue- it is constantly being broken down (a process known as resorption) and rebuilt throughout our lives. If less bone is being made than is disappearing it becomes porous and easily broken.

Known as “the silent epidemic,” osteoporosis often makes its presence known only when a sufferer incurs a surprise fracture after a minor fall. Visible symptoms are loss of height ant he development of a stoop or “dowager’s hump” as the skeleton weakens and shrinks.

Up to one in four in one women are believed to be at risk of osteoporosis, which is thought to be closely linked to fall in hormone levels during the menopause; this interferes with the absorption of calcium and slows the formation of new bone.

Particularly at risk are those who have had an early menopause or who have had their ovaries removed. Smoking, habitual dieting, prolonged absence of periods, and treatment with corticosteroid drugs are also risk factors. Heredity also plays an important part. Increasing numbers of young men now suffer from osteoporosis, which indicates that diet and lifestyle may be important factors in the cause of this disease.

THE ORTHODOX APPROACH

Hormone Replacement Therapy (H.R.T.) is the prime treatment prescribed for women at risk of osteoporosis or already showing some bone loss. H.R.T. replaces the oestrogen that declines at the time of menopause. There is known to be a link between low levels of oestrogen and the development of osteoporosis; research shows that women who take H.R.T. are at less risk of bone fractures. However it is accepted that H.R.T. has to be taken for at least five to seven years, maybe longer, to be effective against osteoporosis and many women are uneasy about that.

The decision whether or not to take H.R.T. is a very personal one.  Research shows that H.R.T. may be linked to increases of breast cancer, but that it also reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Many women experience side affects when taking H.R.T.-weight gain, water retention, and depression are typical. But there is now a wide range of H.R.T. products available and some will suit you better than others. Treatment with testosterone, the male sex hormone, can be helpful in treating men with osteoporosis. Women who do not want to take H.R.T. may be prescribed other bone strengthening drugs. The pharmaceutical companies are currently investing substantial sums of money in the development and marketing of new remedies. Calcitonin is a hormone included in a number of prescription drugs that helps conserve bone mass by slowing down the resorption process. Establish osteoporosis can be treated with bisphosphonates.

THE HALE APPROACH

Unless your doctor or hospital specialist is prescribing H.R.T. for a serious problem, it would be best to have a complementary treatment from a knowledgeable therapist who specializes in this area. Complementary treatments can be very effective and this, combined with the fact that 50 percent of women who start H.R.T. stop it within the first year, suggests that avoiding H.R.T. is a possible and safe route. If you are already taking H.R.T., complementary therapies can be very beneficial, but withdrawal from H.R.T. should be done under the care of a complementary therapist who knows the subject, or through your doctor.

With osteoporosis or suspected osteoporosis the first course of action is to take a screening test. This is a quick, painless scan of the heel bone, giving a patient and accurate measurement of current bone density and a likely prognosis. Treatment and corrective action may then be advised. It is a good idea to have an osteoporosis screening in your early 20’s so that preventative action may be taken if a potential weakness is identified.

Good nutrition plays a good role in preventing osteoporosis. Eating calcium-rich foods, as well as making sure digestion is working properly to ensure absorption of this bone-building mineral, is imperative. If you do not spend much time in sunlight, Vitamin D supplements are important to help with absorption of calcium. Research done by U.S doctors has shown that natural progesterone (from Mexican yams) increase bone density by 40 percent in women suffering from osteoporosis, as well as playing a preventative role by building the bone density of women whose tests indicated their bone density was less than it should be.

Acupuncture can be of great assistance in the treatment of osteoporosis. Finally, weight-bearing exercise such as running or walking is of vital importance in building up bone density. By taking some of the advice given here, men and women can look forward to enjoying the positive aspects of aging without the fear of being incapacitated by brittle bones.

LIGHT THERAPY

Sunlight is known to be essential for the production of Vitamin D, which enables calcium to be absorbed and used for bone formation. But many of us do not get enough sunlight in our daily lives, which mean that taking calcium supplements may not be sufficient to prevent bone loss. Exposing the skin to full spectrum light corrects any Vitamin D deficiency and enables the body to utilize calcium more effectively.

NATURAOPATHY

Most of us consume enough calcium through eating the proper food and by taking supplements If necessary. The problem is that much of it is not properly absorbed and put into bone. This may, according to one naturopath, be due to inadequate levels of Vitamin D3, which is synthesized into calcitriol, which in turn regulates calcium absorption through the gut lining and stimulates bone production. Vitamin D3 is actually a hormone, formed by the action of sunlight on a substance in the skin. Taken as a supplement it increases the amount of dietary calcium absorbed into the bloodstream, stops most of the magnesium and calcium we consume being lost in our urine and ensures that more calcium enters the bone.  More about naturopathy...

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

Ultra-sound screening tells you whether your bone-mineral density and structure are low, average, or high for your age, providing a “benchmark” for future monitoring. It is a simple test, painless and non-invasive, carried out on the heel, where metabolic activity of the skeleton is highest.

“The heel is on the same axis as the hip joint,” explains one practitioner, “and the hip join is a major concern in osteoporosis.” The screening takes no more than 30 minutes and you receive an immediate reading and interpretation, plus advice on diet and exercise. Osteoporosis screening provides an important “early warning” of bone loss, which may other wise remain undetected until you break a limb. It enables you to make any lifestyle changes to prevent future problems. “I would like to see more people, men and women, being screened in their 20’s and 30’s,” says the same practitioner. “Most people who have screening are women in their 40’s concerned about the menopause. But bone loss can start long before then.” People who are at risk of osteoporosis, or who have lower than average bone density, are advised to have a screening one a year. Screening is also a good idea if you have had a serious illness or prolonged drug treatment, both of which can result in loss of bone density.

NUTRITION

Eating a wide range of nutritious food and cutting down on alcohol, smoking, and caffeine, all of which leech calcium from the body, is the sensible approach to preventing osteoporosis. But it is also important to check that your digestive system is functioning properly. One nutritionist points out that our levels of stomach acid can fall as we get older, or as the result of stress, resulting in poor absorption of the nutrients contained in what we eat. A simple test will establish whether the body is digesting and utilizing food properly, and if necessary supplements will be recommended.

Dairy products are by no means the best source of calcium- there is a school of thought that suggests too high an intake of these foods may interfere with the process of putting calcium into bone. Better to increase your intake of green vegetables, nuts and seeds, tofu and oily fish, all of which contain large amounts of calcium and essential fatty acids. Excessive meat eating should be checked, as this stresses the kidneys, which lose calcium as a result.  More about nutrition...

SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT

Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatment can be used very effectively for pain relief in established cases of osteoporosis.

SELF-CARE

Regular weight-bearing exercise such as walking, running, playing tennis, dancing and aerobics strengthens the bones. Swimming improves flexibility, but should be the only exercise.