Osteoporosis

From around the age of 35 more bone cells are lost than replaced so bone density decreases.

Inadequate calcium intake and excessive calcium loss. Other factors such as inadequate exercise are also significant.

These are the probable causes of osteoporosis (but is not limited to):

• Lack of calcium and vitamin D may cause bone loss
• Family history and certain medical conditions
• Llifestyle factors
• medications
• not eating a well balanced diet
• smoking or drinking too much

Your bones can become brittle and there is a greater risk of bone fractures.

Osteoporosis (gaps, lower bone density, or weak points in solid bones) occurs primarily where calcium is not being added to the bones. Lack of calcium or vitamin D, and lowered estrogen in women, can cause osteoporosis.

60 is the new 40! Modern women embrace this philosophy of aging, and are healthier and more active well into later years than any previous generation. But aging does bring increased health risks and concerns, and even active women with conscientious health habits are affected by troublesome symptoms. In particular, osteoporosis can affect women�s bone density, and threaten their health and active lifestyle. Left untreated, osteoporosis leads to weak bones and dangerous bone fractures.

The good news is that osteoporosis is easily treated with safe, effective medications called bisphosphonates. Many of the brand names are familiar from television and magazine ads: Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel, among others. According to Kurt Kennel, M.D., on the website MayoClinic.com, these medications are safe and well tolerated for most women, with only mild side effects. The most common side effect from taking bisphosphonates is stomach upset or heartburn. Fortunately, following dosage instructions carefully usually mitigates these symptoms. For those who experience intense stomach upset, these medications are available in an injection form.

Of course, as with any medication, there is a potential for rare and serious side effects, which you should discuss promptly with your doctor. Bisphosphonates can cause a rare type of thigh fracture, indicated by thigh or groin pain. These medications can also affect the integrity of the jawbone, and may rarely cause eye redness or eye pain.

In some cases, your doctor may suggest hormone treatment or hormone-like medications for osteoporosis. Because of the safety and effectiveness of bisphosphonates, this recommendation is usually reserved for women with other health conditions, such as breast cancer. Hormone treatments may have more serious side-effect concerns (such as increased risk of certain types of cancer) than bisphosphonates, so discuss these with your doctor.

The risk of developing osteoporosis as women age is real and a concern. Safe, effective treatment with bisphosphonates allows women to continue an active, healthy lifestyle without the worry of dangerous bone fractures or unpleasant treatment side effects.

Jane Fonda once uttered the phrase "No pain, no gain", but this phrase could actually you to develop a painful stress fracture, a common overuse injury seen in athletes and people who frequently exercise.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), stress fractures occur when the muscles are too fatigued to absorb the shock caused when a person increases the amount or intensity of a physical activity too quickly. This transfers the added stress to the bones, which are not equipped to handle the day-to-day impact of high-intensity activity. This can cause the bone to develop tiny cracks, called stress fractures. These fractures are extremely painful--left untreated, it can cause a complete bone break, necessitating surgery.

Although stress fractures are more likely to affect athletes, people who exercise frequently can also develop them. Women are more susceptible to this condition--statistically, they are more likely to develop conditions that make the bones brittle, such as anorexia nervosa, osteoporosis and poor calcium and vitamin D intake.

Now here's the good news: most, if not all, stress fractures are completely preventable. Remember, stress fractures are an overuse injury--it's not the cause of a sudden accident. But how do you prevent stress fractures if you exercise (a lot)?

1. If you're starting a new exercise, start off slow. If you've never run in your life, for example, you don't want to suddenly start running five miles a day. Remember to start out slow by only doing a little bit at a time, slightly increasing its intensity or duration on a weekly basis.
2. Wear shoes designed for the exercise you're participating in. For example, if you weight lift, you don't want to wear running shoes, which are designed to reduce the stress on the feet while coming into contact with hard surfaces. Likewise, regular tennis shoes can actually put more stress on your feet if you jog as part of your workout routine. Always wear the appropriate footwear for the sport or exercise you're participating in. If you don't, you could risk developing a stress fracture.
3. If you experience any pain in your feet or lower legs while exercising, stop immediately. This is one of the first signs of a stress fracture. Continuing to exercise and ignoring this pain can make it worse, leading to a full-blown fracture. Instead, rest, avoid using the affected area in any activity if possible, and ice it regularly. If the pain is not alleviated within a few days, seek medical help.

By starting out slow, avoiding putting undue stress on the feet, and resting when pain occurs, you could potentially avoid developing a stress fracture. Remember, continuing to exercise with a stress fracture could lead to a complete bone break, which may require surgery to treat.

Mechanical stress and gravity help to promote skeletal remodeling. Swimming is not

considered a weight-bearing exercise. The water, not bones, supports the body's weight while

swimming.

Swimming is not recommended to prevent osteoporosis, as it is not considered a weight-bearing exercise.