What You Should Know (at ANY AGE) about Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease caused by weak, thinning bones. It is a silent disease often showing no signs until a fracture. Bones easily broken in normal situations are called fragility fractures, and these types of fractures are a red-flag for osteoporosis. Another common type of fracture for this disease are compression fractures of the spine. Hip and wrist fractures are also common in osteoporosis patients. This disease affects approximately 55% of Americans whom are 50 or more years of age. “Thin bones are the cause of 1.5 million fractures per year in the United States; hip fractures alone result in 300,000 hospitalizations.^1”

Our bones are living tissues. In normal anatomy, bones are continuously being broken down and rebuilt, much like skin cells shed and rebuild. In osteoporosis, that process gets out of balance by either not enough new bone being rebuilt and/or too much bone is being broken down.

What are Risks Factors of Osteoporosis?

When we think about osteoporosis, we often think that it’s a disease of just the elderly. While, most cases of osteoporosis are not diagnosed until after the age of 55, some factors such as female gender, genetically small bone frame, hormones, and certain diseases can cause earlier onset. Some diseases that can negatively affect bones are inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), spina bifida, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cystic fibrosis, and kidney disease. Eating disorders are also a cause of early on-set osteoporosis. More controllable risks include excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, low-calcium diet, low vitamin D, low body weight, general poor health and certain medications such as heparin and steroids.

How do I Prevent Osteoporosis?

Prevention of this disease should start in childhood, but it is never too late to work on prevention of the osteoporosis or the effects of the disease if already diagnosed. Children and adults alike should get a nutritious diet with enough calcium, vitamin D and protein. Children and adults should also get plenty of routine exercising, including weight-bearing exercises. Also, always avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. The effects of second-hand smoke can be as dangerous or more dangerous as first-hand smoking. These prevention factors are particularly important during childhood, adolescent and early-adult years.

“Bone mass acquired during youth is an important determinant of the risk of osteoporotic fracture during later life. The higher the peak bone mass, the lower the risk of osteoporosis.

Once peak bone mass has been reached, it is maintained by a process called remodeling. This is a continuous process in which old bone is removed (resorption) and new bone is created (formation). The renewal of bone is responsible for bone strength throughout life.

During childhood and the beginning of adulthood, bone formation is more important than bone resorption. Later in life, however, the rate of bone resorption is greater than the rate of bone formation and results in net bone loss –a thinning of your bones.³”

How Can Elite Relief Help Prevent or Treat Osteoporosis?

You do not have to have a broken bone to begin physical therapy. You do not need a referral, either. Whether your goal is to prevent osteoporosis or to treat osteoporosis, a customized physical therapy plan will help rebuild and strengthen your bones. Life is busy, so our therapists can even show you minor changes and additions to build into your routine so you Feel Better Faster.

To request an appointment, click here for Elite Relief, or call directly to one of our three locations during regular business hours:

Cool Springs: 615-224-9810
Shelbyville: 931-684-0027
Spring Hill: 931-489-2022