Osteoporosis: Important Facts Your Chiropractor In Whittier Wants You To Know

Osteoporosis is a disease defined by a person losing a significant amount of bone density compared to normal values.  There is no single cause for this disease.  Healthy bone development however, requires the adequate absorption of calcium and anything that can interfere with the metabolism of dietary calcium in the body can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.  The disease is usually not painful, so unless your bone mineral density is measured, you may not know you have it until you fracture a bone!  The wrist, hip, and spine are the most common fractured bones.

According to statistics, one in four women over the age of 50 is at risk for osteoporosis, and 80% of all fractures occurring in people over the age of 60 are osteoporosis-related.

Fractures caused by this disease are associated with considerable suffering and illness.  Hip fractures related to osteoporosis result in death in up to 30% of all cases!  One study of elderly women reported that the majority would choose death over having a hip fracture and being admitted to a nursing home!

Here are the Major Risk Factors for Osteoporosis:

- Age 65+

- Family history of osteoporotic fracture (especially if mother had hip fracture)

- Medical conditions that inhibit absorption of nutrients

- Early menopause (before age 45)

- Long-term (more than 3 consecutive months) use of glucocorticoid therapy

- Osteopenia apparent on x-ray

- Hypogonadism (low testosterone in men, loss of menstrual periods in younger women)

- Primary hyperparathyroidism

The best treatment for osteoporosis is prevention- beginning from childhood.  For those who have already developed the disease, medications for improving the absorption of calcium into the body and increasing dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D3  can help reduce the risk of fractures.

Tell your chiropractor if you think you may have osteoporosis.  Staying physically active can help both prevent and treat the disease.  So in order to keep active, a healthy musculoskeletal system is critical.  Alignment, posture and coordination all  play a roll in this.  With chiropractic adjustments being a positive influence on the nervous system, the assistance they provide in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis can truly make a difference!

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