Granville Family Pharmacy

:: Mythical Bones

	Mythical Bones This month we will look at some common Osteoporosis myths and see if they can be busted!
Only 'old women' get Osteoporosis
Although there are many more women who may develop this condition, theres also a very significant portion of men who have this disease. In fact, 20% of those diagnosed are men. Although bone loss accelerates with menopause in women, osteoporosis takes years to develop and often begins at a young age. Bones begin building their density from infancy through early adulthood. Lifestyle preferences like lack of exercise, increased caffeine intake, lack of nourishment and chronic stress impair achieving maximum bone density. Diminished bone density males an individual prone to the disease. It is never too late to implement healthy lifestyle choices to prolong life of bones.
Low Bone Density Causes Osteoporosis
This isn’t always true. In persons undergoing fluoride treatment, the bone matrix often appears dense due to fluoride deposits, but this is hardly ever as strong as a calcium matrix. Medicine today recognises the absence of ‘self-repair’ mechanisms as the strongest indicator of osteoporosis. Bones are constantly undergoing breakdown and repair. Therefore presence of a self-repair mechanism is indispensible for a healthy bone and keeps bone disorders at bay. It is proven today that a woman with low bone density but strong self-repair capacity is not prone to osteoporosis, as one with strong bone density and poor self-repair capacity. Lost bone mass can be replaced through a combination of medication, proper diet and weight-bearing exercise, according to the Osteoporosis Foundation.
Osteoporosis Cannot Be Prevented
Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence is the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life. Adults can take steps too to lower their risk of developing the disease. In order to prevent osteoporosis, its very important that one has adequate nutrition, good calcium intake, exercise, and adequate vitamin D supplementation. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, lifting weights and dancing are the best for building strong bones. People who already have osteoporosis should avoid these exercises, as they increase the risk of breaking a bone. Calcium intake is very important, too. Calcium supplements are often recommended throughout the entire lifespan, especially for women. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake also will lower your chances of developing osteoporosis.
Consuming Dairy Foods will Prevent Osteoporosis
Calcium is undoubtedly required for bone strengthening. However, effective absorption of calcium depends on intake of bone building nutrients and other factors such as digestive health; rate of consumption of calcium depleting substances such as excess protein, salt, fat, sugar; use of drugs; stress etc. Therefore just adequate calcium intake without presence of other nutrients is not enough to prevent osteoporosis.
Only Osteoporosis Medications Can Prevent Osteoporosis
Medications alone do not help to build bone. Its only one of the things that can be done in order to rebuild or prevent future bone loss. Most of the drugs inhibit the cells that break down bone, and one actually stimulates the growth of new bone. Unfortunately, these drugs haven’t been available for very long, so their long-term effects are not known and people should not rely on them alone. People who are on medications for osteoporosis still have to take calcium and vitamin D. In addition, for some women, over-the-counter calcium isn’t enough. They need more than that, and this is something they really need to discuss with their doctor.
Oestrogen Supplements Reduce Osteoporosis
Oestrogen increases calcium absorption in the gut and inhibits loss of calcium from bones. Therefore, women resort to oestrogen replacement to make up for its deficit during menopause and maintain healthy bones. But research has proven that oestrogen replacement only decreases bone loss but does not increase bone density. Moreover, oestrogen replacement increases a woman’s risk of breast and uterine cancer. One needs to understand that our body makes hormones strictly on a need basis. Laying more emphasis on other factors that promote calcium absorption post menopause will also help maintaining bone health.
Osteoporosis is Hereditary
While family history does put an individual at a higher risk, not having a history doesn’t make you immune to it. Adopting healthy lifestyle practices at an early age like nutritious diet and exercise is a sure fire way to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. For women, many factors like being post menopausal, never being pregnant to a full term, premature menopause, amenorrhea, lack of muscle mass when compared to men, makes them more susceptible to osteoporosis. This is perhaps one of the reasons why it is labelled as a ‘woman’s disease’. Whatever the reasons, taking early steps to prevent, halt or reverse osteoporosis by clearing up facts is beneficial.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis are Obvious
Most people are not aware they have osteoporosis until they break a bone due to a fall. Bone loss occurs without symptoms, which is why it is called the "silent disease." People think that broken bones are the only way to tell if you have osteoporosis. Because osteoporosis has no symptoms, most people are not aware that they have it until something happens, like a bone fracture. However, this is not the only indicator of the disease. Even people who don't have broken bones may develop osteoporosis. Many people may not even know they had a broken bone, and they may develop a change in their posture or a loss in height. To help determine whether bone loss has begun, it is important to get a bone density test every few years, especially for women who have entered menopause.
Osteoporosis Only Effects the Elderly
It is never too early to begin thinking about strong bones. Osteoporosis affects people of all ages, and prevention should begin during childhood and adolescence. Peak bone mass does not occur until the late teens, and those who build bone strength during the teen years are less likely to suffer fractures as an adult. Good bone health is something that starts early in life. Your bones begin building density from infancy through young adulthood. Most people have reached maximum bone density by age 35. If maximum bone density is not achieved during that time, you will be at risk for developing osteoporosis.
Watch out for more Medical Mythbusters next month
Any time you are unsure about health issues don't forget to consult your friendly, local Pharmacist or Contact Us

< back