Osteoporosis and Chiropractic management of the disease.

Osteoporosis.

What exactly is osteoporosis and who should be concerned by it?

Millions of Americans are diagnosed and suffer from osteoporosis every single year. This is technically a bone disease not a disorder and starts with osteopenia, which without treatment will result in full-blown osteoporosis. This disease is a product of the body failing to form enough new bone, and either/or when the body absorbs to much of the old bone. Few people know that as we age the calcium and phosphate that forms our bones may be reabsorbed back in to the body. This makes the bone tissue weaker resulting in brittle and fragile bones, which are then susceptible to fractures, even without injury.

Getting enough calcium during your life, but especially in your formative years, is a great way to prevent osteoporosis.  The most cases of osteoporosis occur in women of menopausal age when a drop in estrogen in women causes the disease to advance (or around the same age, a drop in testosterone for men.) More women than men over the age of 50 will be diagnosed with this disease.

Menopause is just one cause of osteoporosis, other causes include a long term illness confining a person to bed, bone cancer, Cushing syndrome, hyper- and hyperpara- thyroidism and excess corticosteroid levels from extended pharmaceutical use for asthma, some forms of arthritis, skin disease and chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD).

Sadly, osteoporosis starts at a very young age and there is no cure, only management for the disease. Chiropractors.org has this to say about the disease: “There is no cure for osteoporosis, so treatment methods are intended only to bolster bone density and either prevent the condition from occurring or slow its progression. There are various medications available that can help slow down or prevent bone loss.

Ongoing chiropractic care can also help alleviate pain associated with osteoporosis or help treat an osteoporosis-related injury. Also, the treatment can help you increase or maintain mobility and range of motion, which can help you protect yourself from falls and fractures. Be sure to notify your chiropractor of your condition before you begin, so he or she can tailor treatment to your needs. …”

Prevention is the key to this disease, the University of Maryland Medical Center  estimates there are 10 million people who currently have osteoporosis and 18 million are at an increased risk for developing it, based on bone density testing.

If you already are suffering from this disease, if you have been told you are at risk, or better yet are showing no signs of this disease and wish to keep it that way, most experts suggest not just taking a supplement but eating a diet high in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fruit and vegetables. It is also important to ensure you are getting an adequate amount of strength training exercise, as it may help prevent further or continued bone loss. With osteoporosis, prevention is the key! Ensure sure your children or young teenagers reduce the amount of calcium leaching soda (animal studies show that phosphoric acid, a common ingredient in soda pop, can deplete bones of calcium) they drink and keep eating lots of healthy, calcium packed fruits and vegetables.

For further information and advice on osteoporosis management and continued care, call Dr. Paul or Dr. Susan at 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com

Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be Happy!

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