All About Osteoporosis And Its treatment

The most common and serious problem of bones are Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis means pours bones that lead to decrease in the density of bone, which further causes decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. It is a bone disease that causes weakness of bones and also reduces the life of bones too. The main disadvantage of this disease is that it weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures in the bones.

It is a bone disease that make your bones weak and brittle. It makes your bones so brittle that even mild or little stress like bending may cause a serious fracture. The main reason causing weakness of bones are low level of calcium and other minerals in your bones. Bone is made of a hard outer shell with a mesh of collagen (tough elastic fibres), minerals (including calcium), blood vessels and bone marrow inside. When the bones are healthy they are very dense and the spaces inside the bones are small. It is very easy to recognize if your bone is affected by osteoporosis, as the spaces between the bones are larger this makes your bone weak, more likely to break and less elastic.

Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both.
Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, your body uses these minerals to produce bones. If you do not get enough calcium, or if your body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer.

Fosamax is a prescription medicine that is used to prevent and used for the treatment of bone loss. Fosamax is a medicine that belong to that class of medicines known as bisphosphonates. This medicine work by decreasing the activity of cells which break down bone. The main advantage of this medicine is that it help in maintaining the strong bones by reducing the risk of bone loss that further lead to decreases the risk of fracture. The risk of Osteoporosis increases with your age and after menopause as at the time of menopause the risk of osteoporosis increases due to the lack of natural estrogen hormones.

Precaution before taking Fosamax medicine

Fosamax is a prescription medicine so it should be used as it is suggested by doctor or health care professional. Few important precautions need to be taken to avoid serious side effect. Precautions needs to be taken are as follows.

1) Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to Fosamax medicine or to its ingredient.
2) This medicine should be used cautiously in people who are suffering from renal insufficiency, GI ulcers, gastritis, esophageal disease.
3) People taking Fosamax medication should not take NSAIDs as they worsen the drug's side effects.
4) People who have undergone any radiation therapy or are suffering from any form of cancer are more likely to develop Osteonecrosis
5) People suffering from decreased levels of calcium in the blood, kidney problem, stomach ulcerations or are deficient in Vitamin D should not take Fosamax drug without the doctor's recommendation.
6) Pregnant and breastfeeding mother should not use Fosamax medicine as use of this medicine may harm the health of unborn baby or nursed child.

Before taking this medicine you should inform your doctor if you are taking any prescription, non prescription and herbal medicine as use of this medicine may cause some serious drug interaction. Fosamax medicine should be used as prescribed by the doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose of the medicine on your own as it may lead to serious side effect. The medicine should be taken with water before meals. No beverage or food should be taken for at least half an hour after the dose and the patient should not lie down or recline for next 30 minutes after the dosage.

osteoporosis Healing Methods

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is really a disease in which there is a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. This process causes weakening from the bones and means they are more likely to break. The bones usually affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.

Osteoporosis affects over Tens of millions of Americans over the age of 50, with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Another 34 million Americans older than 50 have low bone mass (ostopenia) and for that reason have an increased risk for osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of bone reduction in women during and after menopause. Women may lose as much as 20 percent of their bone mass within the five to seven years following menopause.

Osteoporosis is usually called the "silent disease" because persons with osteoporosis might not develop any symptoms. Some may have pain in their bones and muscles, particularly in their back. Occasionally, a collapsed vertebra may cause severe pain, reduction in height, or deformity within the spine.

Regular exercise may help improve balance, which will reduce the chance of falling. Increased muscle tissue and strength will help protect weak bones making daily tasks easier. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you will want to exercise in the safest, yet most effective way possible. Before you begin any exercise program, see your doctor.

Aerobic exercise like walking, elliptical training machines, stair climber machines, dancing and stationary bicycles are perfect exercises to strengthen the muscles and bones in the lower legs and hips. Flexibility will be greatly improved and muscle strength will increase over time. Engage in weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as hiking, that gets you moving on your feet and moving your legs. Aerobic exercise is also beneficial for maintaining cardiovascular health insurance and improving circulation. So, even walking just 3 miles per week not only enhances your general health, but also can facilitate bone health. Opt for adding stability and balance exercises to your osteoporosis fitness program. Balance exercises will help you avoid falls that may result in a fracture. Simply sitting on one foot for 1 minute after which switching to the other foot for 1 minute each day can greatly improve your balance and reduce your risk of bone fracture from falling.

Weight training with weights, resistance bands and isometric exercise can help strengthen the bones and muscles of the upper body, arms and spine. Strength training also slows bone loss. Join a gym where you can take advantage of experienced coaches and trainers. Begin with light weights and moderate exercise. Stretches will help improve your flexibility, which can greatly reduce the chances of injury when exercising. Stretching also increases selection of mobility in joints and improves your posture.

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you should avoid exercises which are high impact like jogging and running. Playing sports that need fast movements or present a risk of falling like tennis should also be avoided. Osteoporosis sufferers should also avoid bending and twisting motions. Sit-ups and abdominal crunches can result in compression fractures of the spine. Try to avoid sudden or jerking motions, which may result in a fracture.

Osteoporosis is a condition that can be controlled

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by reduced bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This increases bone fragility and risk of fractures, which occur spontaneously or after minimal trauma. Osteoporosis is a disease of whose consequences are very serious, in about 60 percent of cases it is the cause of severe disability or even some deaths (hip fracture is fatal in 30 percent of cases). In addition, recovery is incomplete, and in 30 percent of cases requires costly long-term care.

Because prevention remains extremely important in osteoporosis, the most common methods of prevention are: identifying adolescents at risk for this disease, since prevention stars in prepubertal period (around 10 years old), that last till the age 20 years, and further treatment. Prevention remains of overwhelming importance, given that there is virtually no way to restore bone quality reached by osteoporosis. Prophylactic treatment of osteoporosis begins in childhood and consists of a diet rich in calcium and complex exercise and practically never ends.

Vitamin D and sun exposure
The role of vitamins in the development and remodeling of bone is known for a long time. Calcium cannot be used in the body if this vitamin is missing or is in inactive form. Over 80% of all cases hospitalized patients have vitamin D deficiency. The main causes leading to this deficit (not only in osteoporosis) are low intake of vitamin D-rich foods (liver, fish, eggs - an egg brings 70 units, milk - 250 ml milk of intake bring 100 units) an insufficient exposure to sunlight (exposing only the hands and face - about 600 cm2 of skin over a period of 10 minutes, provides the necessary vitamins for a few days), certain anti-seizure, kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, lack of sun in winter, increased parathyroid hormone, low blood calcium. The elderly, reduced exposure to sunlight and poor nutrition are major factors of vitamin D deficiency. Of great practical importance may be an observation recently communicated, namely that vitamin D deficiency can cause a painful syndrome. That is why it is recommended that in the presence of pain before taking antineuralgics, to assess vitamin D status to date in the body, avoiding drugs that may alter the metabolism of the vitamins and more.

Calcium intake and physical activity
Calcium intake is very important to prevent and stop osteoporosis, especially as lost bone ca not be recovered, no matter how it increases the amount of calcium ingested. Recommended intake for adults is about 1000 mg calcium / day and for postmenopausal women and men over 65, it will be 1,500 mg / day. Pasteurized milk, skimmed or boiled is a very good source of calcium as whole grains, soybeans, sardines, sunflower seeds, peanuts, nuts, dried beans, green vegetables. If the diet is low in calcium supplements may be used. Daily administration of a combination of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and boron can help prevent osteoporosis. There is also a positive relationship between intakes of zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, vitamin D and bone mass. Micronutrients present in fruits and vegetables have a beneficial effect on bone quality. Studies have shown that women who ate more fruits in childhood (1-4 times per day) had better bone density at the femoral neck than the other.

Regularly practice of exercise and walking helps maintain bone density, while strengthening the muscles, which prevents the risk of falls.
Calivita natural products for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis
- Strong Bones Plus offers an optimal ratio of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D that promotes better absorption of calcium in the body.
- Power Mins is a complex dietary supplement containing, in an optimal proportion and quantity, all minerals that our body needs (Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Potassium, Manganese, Cooper, iodine, etc.)
- Omega 3: Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, vital for effective assimilation of calcium in the body.

Information About Supplements for the Bone

As people age, the weakening of the human skeletal system is one of the problems that may possibly happen. However, there are certain things we can do to try to keep our bones healthy. In order to help this situation, there are supplements and milk that can help in strengthening the bones. Moreover, reading current medical industry news and keeping ourselves up to date with medical events may also be a big help. This will ensure that up-to-date information may be accessible in order to help one in achieving the best health possible. This osteoporosis study was made possible through the efforts of the National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA).

There are actually many types of supplements one can choose from. The following are some examples of the possible supplements you can choose:

Calcium Supplement

Bone health actually directly relates to the consumption of calcium. Calcium can be easily obtained through consuming milk and dark leafy vegetables. However, one may avail of a synthetic form of calcium when natural sources cannot provide it. These kinds of calcium supplements are very accessible as they are available over the counter.

Calcium Citrate

Calcium citrate is the calcium salt found in citric acid. It is an odorless white powder that is soluble in cold water. Actually, this is a kind of supplement famous for being the best absorbed form of calcium. Its cheapness is also another reason why it is very popular. One can take this even without eating first.

Vitamin D

Liver and fish oils are a good source for this vitamin. As this helps calcium absorption and the body in developing bones mass, this has become an essential supplement when taking in calcium. There are different forms of vitamin D with calciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) as the popular ones.

Magnesium Supplement
This is an essential mineral for the human body. It helps in making sure that the human cartilage is healthy and the growth of the bones is stimulated. In order to achieve the maximum effects of this supplement, it is best to purchase those which also contain potassium as an ingredient.

One might say that all this information can be a bit too much to handle for some. A doctor should always be consulted before one takes in anything just to be safe. Extra care is also necessary, as there an increasing number of people filing for a Fosamax lawsuit.

Osteoporosis Management

All over the world, men and women are affected by osteoporosis and finding treatment for this bone disease is very important. Inception of biphosphonate drugs like Fosamax was actually tagged as a medical breakthrough. However, adverse effects came in the picture and became a cause of worry which actually struck a backlash. This may be the reason why there are many patients who are not using Fosamax anymore which may provide positive results as discontinuing Fosamax use reduces second femur break risks.

Often, the first-line therapy for osteoporosis is bone-strengthening drugs where Fosamax is among the most prescribed. But reports like a low-impact thigh bone fracture and an unusual jaw bone disease began sprouting putting this drug in a bad light.

The aim for osteoporosis treatment is to hamper bone injuries by diminishing bone loss and/or by improving bone density.Osteoporosis may be managed through various approaches. Aside from biphosphonate drugs, osteoporosis can also be managed with lifestyle changes, calcium and vitamin D supplementation and hormone replacement therapy.

Lifestyle changes. Stopping cigarette smoking and excessive drinking of alcohol has shown to retard the process of bone loss. Moreover, a diet with adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D are the non-conventional treatment essential to a person with osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercises like walking and hiking on a regular basis strengthens the bones.

Calcium and Vitamin D supplements. Adequate calcium and vitamin D provide stronghold for bones keeping them strong and dense. Calcium is largely deposited to the bones which subsequently increases bone density, on the other hand, vitamin D is generally in charge of the absorption and regulation of calcium in the body. But calcium and vitamin D are not the only treatments forosteoporosis .

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Reducing bone resorption and increasing bone formation is a function carried out by the hormone called estrogen. HRT after menopause helps prevents bone loss and increases bone density and consequently prevents bone fracture. Plus, it can also be a preventive measure for osteoporosis as women reach menopause.

Fosamax is not the only medicine you can rely to help you in your osteoporosis problem. And now that many people are filing numerous lawsuits against the drugs manufacturer, talk to your health care provider for other treatment options .

Osteonecrosis Patients May be Prescribed Hip Replacement Surgery

Osteonecrosis is a type of bone disease that is commonly associated with large joints like the hips, knees, ankles or shoulders. Also known as bone necrosis, this disease leads to disfiguring and weakening pain. This is a rare disease found in about 1 in 20,000 people per year. Anyway, the Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is proposing that patients be given lifetime hip replacement checkups, as reported by the Reuters.

Osteonecrosis gradually leads into permanent blood loss supply to the bones which results in the total collapse of bones and the death of bone tissue.
Approximately, there 10,000 to 20,000 new cases of osteonecrosis each year in the United States. Majority of the cases are results of bone injuries like fractures or dislocations.

A 2007 study by University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Health Research Institute found out that upon bisphosphonate intake, the risk of developing bone necrosis orosteonecrosis are tripled.
Osteonecrosis sufferers should consider potential harms brought by medical treatments like the hip replacement operation.

An article about the risks of metal-on-metal hip replacement surgeries was earlier published on the New York Times. The article was entitled “Remedy Is Elusive as Metallic Hips Fail at Fast Rate.” It discusses about how the surgery leaves metal debris that harms the tissues in the hip region.

A medical expert who commented on theTimes report, says that “As surgeons here sliced through tissue surrounding a failed artificial hip in a 53-year-old man, they discovered what looked like a biological dead zone. There were matted strands of tissue stained gray and black; a large strip of muscle near the hip no longer contracted.”

Particularly in the case of Johnson & Johnson, with approximately 93,000 recipients worldwide, the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System were recalled after data revealed that the devices had failed prematurely in one out of eight people who have them.

Those who receive hip replacements can suffer from implant failure, metallosis, tissue damage, bone loss and other hip replacement problems. Included in the symptoms of a faulty hip product are pain bearing weight,pain when rising from a seated position, swelling, pain while walking, pain on the hip area, and pain on the thigh or groin area.

For those who encounter any doubts and queries about their hip replacement surgery, a physician must be consulted as soon as possible.

The DePuy hip recall should be a wake-up call to other manufacturers to check on their medical products, legal observers say. Furthermore, as DePuy hip replacement lawsuit and claims for compensation are piling up globally, the company is expected to pay attention to the hip replacement failures that are being experienced by its patients. To facilitate medical attention for men and women who had bought the devices from it, DePuy should provide wide-ranging information dissemination on the flawed hip replacement symptoms.

Getting to Know Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone where the bone density is significantly low. Bisphosphonates, among them Fosamax, are often used to treat it, medical journals say. Recently, there has been a swarm of negative reports regarding the side effects of bisphosphonates.

In general, women are the only ones associated with the medical condition called osteoporosis. Yet, around 25 percent of men aged 50 and above may be afflicted of this condition making this medical fact incorrect.

One of the greatest assumptions regarding osteoporosis is how it can only affect women. With this, it is worthy discussing how osteoporosis may also hit men regardless of age.

There are several risk factors of osteoporosis in men and sad to say, most of them pertain to men's lifestyle. Aside from that, other factors could be drug-related or hormonal.

Glucocorticoid medications. These are steroids that used to treat diseases like asthma and arthritis. Bone loss is the most commonly reported side effect of these drugs. These drugs are prescribed on an ongoing basis resulting in an abrupt and continuous decrease of bone mass.

Hypogonadism. It is a very important risk factor for osteoporosis in men which pertains to abnormally low levels of sex hormones. Similar to the effect of low estrogen in women, diminished levels of sex hormones in men could end up with osteoporosis.

Alcohol abuse. There is mounting evidence showing that excessive alcohol intake may lead to a decrease in bone density. Often, men who sought medical help for alcohol abuse are found to have low bone mass. Drinking two alcoholic drinks every day could already increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Smoking. Although it has not been clearly understood how tobacco use may affect the bones, it has been observed that bone loss is more rapid among men who smoke than those who don't. We already know how detrimental smoking is to our health.

Gastrointestinal disorders/resection, inadequate calcium and vitamin D are other causative factors of osteoporosis. Also, a sedentary lifestyle, immobilization or absence of weight-bearing activities negatively influences the health of your bones.

Complaints against the bisphosphonate Fosamax have been increasing which resulted to the surfacing of different information associated with the drug. Right now, facts about osteoporosis, femur fracture, Paget’s disease, and lawsuits against bisphosphonates are still being thoroughly discussed.