Osteoporosis symptoms

Osteoporosis itself does not cause pain or noticeable symptoms, but frequent bone fractures that can alert us about this disease. The most common fractures in the elderly are the wrist and hip in postmenopausal women are prevalent vertebral fractures that cause a major back pain and deformities, together with loss of height due to reduced bone mass in the spine.

Diagnosis of osteoporosis

The diagnosis is made by densitometry that measures bone mineral content in order to determine its density and calcium content. It is therefore necessary densimetry adults ages 45 to 50 years, especially in menopausal women due to hormonal changes that lose more bone.

To diagnose osteoporosis is measured bone density in spine and hip, but can also be measured in the forearm.

Osteoporosis Treatment

To treat osteoporosis can go to pharmacological measures such as antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates, raloxifene, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, strontium salts) Nonpharmacologic measures consist of a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, physical exercise and smoking cessation if applicable.

Osteoporosis in men

Bone mass in men is stable over time and therefore is less common this part of the population. The loss of bone mass from age 70 to be then greater than in women, other factors that increase bone loss include smoking, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle coupled with lack of exercise.

Osteoporosis in men is also caused by an excess of glucocorticoids, it is known that these substances produce a decrease calcium in the body causing a relative state of hypogonadism.

Medical treatment is most commonly prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Prescribed estrogen with or without progestins, at low doses with the idea of recovering the lost endogenous hormone levels with menopause or after surgery in which the ovaries have been removed. Other treatments include calcitonin, bisphosphonates, vitamin D and PTH.

The best treatment for osteoporosis is prevention. An adequate intake of calcium and physical activity during adolescence and youth, may increase the peak bone mass, resulting in reduced bone loss and lower fracture risk in later years. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamins during maturation is essential for bone health.

In cases of early menopause, women should take estrogen to prevent post-menopausal loss of bone is due to add a progestogen if uterus is intact.

Estrogen replacement therapy is effective in preventing post-menopausal loss of bone and is also effective in preventing osteoporotic fractures. Hormone replacement therapy requires close monitoring and careful gynecologic patient selection.

Post-menopausal women with low bone mass or osteoporosis and have established contraindication to hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates (alendronate or etidronate) and calcitonin are effective medications to prevent bone loss.

Walking and stretching exercises of the spine may stabilize or even slightly increase bone mass and improve balance and muscle strength, preventing falls and fractures.

Vertebral fractures should be treated initially with rest, analgesics, lumbostato and rehabilitation. Other possible treatments being studied include vitamin D, fluoride and parathyroid hormone.

Your acupuncturist will probably get things started by asking a lot of questions about your personal and family medical history; recent events that might have contributed to your illness; and how you’re responding to various stimuli, such as heat and cold.

During the treatment itself, you’ll sit or lie on a padded table while he or she inserts very fine sterile needles into your skin.

You might feel a small pinprick sensation when the needle is first inserted; once it’s in, you may experience numbness or a tingling sensation that goes away after a few seconds.

Your acupuncturist might also manipulate the needles, apply light electricity to them, or heat them.

Depending on your response and your health problem, you might need just one session or many sessions. Keep in mind, too, that most acupuncturists see needle therapy as just one part of treatment; yours might also suggest herbs, vitamin or mineral supplements, and changes in diet and exercise.

If your acupuncturist recommends an herbal remedy, be sure to mention any other drugs or herbs you’re taking to avoid potentially harmful interactions.

Note, too, that because the government doesn’t regulate herbal products, it’s hard to know exactly what you’re getting (in rare cases, products may be contaminated with undesirable substances).

Also, remember that the NIH evaluation of acupuncture looked only at the effectiveness of needles — not dietary supplements and herbs.