Every movement we make is part of the complex musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons. The bones play an important role in maintaining the system. They provide the structural foundation, store minerals, protect various organs, provide movement, and are a medium for blood cell production.
Few organs in our bodies can regenerate. Bones are one of these. Our bones can undergo continuous remodeling, with new bone formation and destroying old bones. This process can be affected by many factors, leading to bone mass loss. You can avoid bone loss by maintaining a higher bone mass until you reach 30 years of age. Osteoporosis, the most common type of bone loss in older adults, is a growing concern worldwide. This disease is becoming more common.
What’s Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, a metabolic condition that weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to fractures, is called a metabolic disease. Silent disease best describes osteoporosis. We can only recognize it when we have a fracture. You may not feel any symptoms for years of bone loss. Loss of bone mineral density and strength characterize osteoporosis. Women, not men, are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis. The majority of people with osteoporosis are women, especially those who have gone through menopause.
Why Is Osteoporosis More Common In Women?
While osteoporosis can be affected anyone, it is more common in women. Even though osteoporosis can manifest for a variety of reasons, females disproportionately suffer from it.
- Menopause, The reason you may develop osteoporosis or weaker bones after menopause is that the ovaries don’t produce enough estrogen hormones. This hormone regulates bone metabolism by monitoring osteoblast activity (cells responsible for making new bones) as well as osteoclast activity (cells responsible for scavenging old bones). These cells are affected by lower estrogen levels and produce less bone with poor density.
- Family history Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis if they have osteoporosis in a family member.
- Ethnic background Bone health issues and osteoporosis can vary among women of different ethnicities. Low bone density and osteoporosis are more common in Caucasian, Latina, and Asian-American women than in African-American and Latina-American women.
- Low calcium diet Vitamin D and calcium are vital for building strong bones.
- Eating disorders if you have had a history of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, your chances of developing weaker bones are higher.
- Less activity, sitting down, or not exercising can increase your risk of developing weaker bones and osteoporosis.
- You have a greater chance of losing bone mass if you’re not pregnant or nursing and you don’t have periods every three weeks. This is caused by amenorrhea, a condition where the ovaries produce fewer estrogen hormones or none at all.
- Chronic diseases if a woman has certain conditions, such as diabetes, celiac disease, and depression, her chances of losing bone mass will increase.
- Medications, Medicines treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma, thyroid condition, or lupus. This increases the chance of osteoporosis among women.
- Smoking and alcohol. Regular alcohol intake or tobacco abuse increases the risk of osteoporosis among women.
Osteoporosis In Young Adult Male
Osteoporosis, a common age-related condition, is more common in the elderly. It can also affect young women who have regular periods during their 20s and 30s. Low bone density in premenopausal years can increase osteoporosis risk later in life.
There Are Many Ways To Improve Bone Health
Building stronger bones are the best way to stop bones from weakening. To prevent osteoporosis, later on, it is important to build stronger bones in childhood and adolescence. Our bones don’t change as quickly as the bone loss process. The bone loss process accelerates after menopause. Here are some ways to slow down bone loss and prevent osteoporosis later in life.
- You should consume a lot of vitamin E as well as a calcium-rich diet: Milk, leafy greens, almonds, calcium-fortified wheat, and other flours are all good sources of calcium and vitamin D, respectively, and can be incorporated into your diet. Sunlight provides vitamin D.
- Daily exercise: Regular physical activities such as weight-bearing, strength training, balancing exercises, and swimming can help build strong bones and slow down the process of bone loss.
- Stop smoking and alcohol intake: Limit alcohol consumption (for women, no more than one drink per day) and quit smoking. Both are bad for bone health and can lead to bone loss.
- Healthy lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyles are a major cause of many diseases. Sitting for long periods is more likely to develop osteoporosis or other bone-related problems.
- Medication If you don’t get enough calcium or vitamin D from your diet, your healthcare provider can recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements.
If we don’t care for our bones, they’ll get worse. Osteoporosis causes hip and spinal fractures in many women. Do not neglect your health. Prioritize it so you can live a full life in good health. Life Line can help you with bone health.