We know that over the years, our body decreases the production of various nutrients, which can cause diseases, one of which is osteoporosis. However, what many people do not know, is that there are treatments that help to slow the process and improve the quality of life of those who suffer from the problem.
Thinking about it, we created this post, to explain a little more about what it is and how osteoporosis treatment works. Check out!
What is osteoporosis?
The definition of osteoporosis is the rapid loss of bone mass, which occurs over the years, during aging. They usually affect women mainly during the menopause stages and are characterized by decreased absorption of calcium and minerals. The weakening of the bones makes them look porous and is one of the main causes of falls in the elderly .
Generally, the disease affects the spine, femoral neck and wrist regions. There are some factors that increase the chances of osteoporosis, such as:
- in women , the decrease in the hormone progesterone, responsible for the absorption of nutrients;
- family history of the disease, that is, genetics;
- White skin;
- low calcium and vitamin D intake;
- underlying diseases such as diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis;
- excessive drinking or smoking.
What are the main symptoms?
The main symptoms of those who present the disease are fractures, falls and loss of bone mass. Osteoporosis can also cause deformities, chronic pain, reduced height and loss of quality of life, in addition to the development of other diseases. Hip fractures are considered the most serious and may require nursing care.
How is the diagnosis made?
Because it is difficult to identify, osteoporosis is usually diagnosed only after the first fracture or fall. Therefore, it is requested the examination of bone densitometry, which measures bone mineral density in the femur and lumbar spine. The result can be normal, osteopenia (early stage of the disease) and osteoporosis.
How does osteoporosis treatment work?
Osteoporosis has no cure, but treatment. Currently, there is still no method that completely reverses bone loss. Below, we present the main therapies applied to those who suffer from the disease.
Medicines
Medication- based treatment is indicated by specialist doctors. Medicines should be taken daily, according to the schedule and dose passed on. They are recommended, especially, for women during menopause or men with great loss of bone mass in a short period. They can be:
- calcitonin inhaled or injectable;
- teriparatide in injectable form;
- strontium ranelate.
Physical exercises
One of the main allies in combating osteoporosis is the practice of physical activities , because it strengthens bones and facilitates the entry of calcium into the bone structure. The most suitable is weight training, but physiotherapy is also a great option, it stimulates bone formation, in addition to improving balance and motor coordination.
It can be practiced 2 or 3 times a week, with the help of various equipment that help to streamline the treatment and achieve the expected goal. In the case of osteopenia, the initial phase of the disease, exercises are the most indicated, as they help in the gain of bone mass and the use of medications is not yet necessary.
Supplementation
Supplementation is a great treatment option for osteoporosis, especially in the early stages of the disease. It can be done in two ways, by means of calcium and vitamin D supplements (which increase the absorption of calcium), or through food . In this case, foods rich in calcium and vitamin D are added, such as cheese, milk, almonds, sour cream and yogurt.
As we explained, the disease is usually diagnosed only after installation, so the best option is prevention. Therefore, include foods rich in calcium and vitamin D in your meals, in addition to practicing physical activities.
