What does osteoporosis mean
Osteoporosis is a medical condition when the bones become brittle and fragile and have tissue loss. To determine if a person has osteoporosis a bone density test is usually performed. A low bone density test may mean you have osteoporosis. If you have low bone density, then this is referred to as osteopenia, which is the begging stages of osteoporosis. When a bone density test is performed, it is ranked on a t score. The t score is usually between 1.0 and -2.5. The older you get, the more likely you will develop low bone density. If you have low density in your bones, you have less bone tissue and are more likely to break bones. If it should also be noted that a bone density test performed on the wrist and heel are not reliable. Minerals are important for bone density, especially calcium. Adults need 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium per day. Vitamin D is also important when trying to prevent osteoporosis. Adults should consume 400 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D per day. Getting enough vitamin D can be rather easy, for example sunlight contains vitamin D.
Bones loose density with age
If you diagnosed with osteoporosis, then what? Does osteoporosis mean you cannot live a normal healthy life? Not necessarily. Bone loss is normal as you get older. It is estimated that over 40 million people in America have osteoporosis or low bone density. Looking at the statistics, it is usually older white women who develop osteoporosis. At least more than any other segment of our society. You can’t feel you bones getting weaker, so a bone density test is the best tool identifying osteoporosis. Smoking also increases the risk of developing low bone density. At one time it was though that by taking an excess amount of calcium daily, would ward off osteoporosis. This is not true. Your body can only use a certain amount of calcium at a time. The body does not store calcium for a later use. It was also thought that good posture would prevent osteoporosis. We have found out that this has very little to do with low bone density, if any. Many people develop gluten intolerance when they have bone loss. Exercise and weight training help osteoporosis symptoms.
Some people need medical treatment for their osteoporosis and some do not. It is wise to seek more than one opinion before beginning any kind of treatment. Many of the big drug companies will push their products on the doctors. Make sure you actually need medical treatment and ask the doctor many questions. Many forms of osteoporosis can be treated without medicine. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, the best source book available is The Myth of Osteoporosis