Definition

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by low bone density and a general deterioration of bone tissue. Accelerated bone loss caused by an imbalance between resorption and bone formation. The fragility of bone fractures that result are the main clinical manifestation of the disease. The three main divisions concerning the femoral neck, vertebrae and distal radius.
The definition of the World Health Osteoporosis is a bone density below – 2.5 standard deviations (SD) T score that places a patient compared to the average population age of peak bone mass. Between – 1 and – 2.5 SD T-score, there is osteopenia. Above – 1 SD, the patient is within the normal range.

There are four clinical forms of osteoporosis:

* Osteoporosis postmenopausal (OPM)
* Osteoporosis rights,
* The osteoporosis secondary hyperparathyroidism and corticosteroids are the two main causes of secondary osteoporosis.
* Osteoporosis child or osteogenesis imperfecta of interest to endocrine or metabolic diseases of children.

The result is that bones tend to become increasingly brittle to eventually lead to fractures.

This disease, more common in the population due in particular to aging, can pose serious public health problems and thus seriously invalidate the patient’s life.
Areas and the dorsal region of the hip (femoral neck) are the regions most disabling and dangerous to humans.

In women, the primary cause of osteoporosis is a decreased expression of sex hormones (estrogen in particular) at the age of menopause. This is called postmenopausal osteoporosis.

In humans, osteoporosis is often linked to age. Consider that from 70 years, the bones may begin to weaken and thus lead to osteoporosis.

In men and women, osteoporosis may also have a strong hereditary component, that is to say an inheritance of genetic disease.

Osteoporosis may also have other causes, sometimes just as important as:

> Food and non-adapted especially low in calcium (dairy products lack ,…) and vitamin D.

> Taking longer (treatment for one year or more) drugs with cortisone or its derivatives in oral form (tablets)

low exposure to sunlight (the sun can synthesize vitamin D, this vitamin is essential for the proper absorption of calcium from the intestine)

> Overweight, in fact it is logical to see a high weight puts more contribution to the bone, increasing the risk of osteoporosis (>> calculate your BMI).

> Consumption of coffee, tobacco and alcohol are not favorable, these products could promote osteoporosis.

> Hormonal problems (problems with the thyroid gland)

> Other reasons too complex to enumerate here.

Often this disease is a silent way (especially during the early years), that is to say they do not reflect the evolution of the disease. It is often only in an accident (fracture) the doctor will diagnose.

However the classic symptoms (occurring after years since the onset of osteoporosis) of the disease can be:

> Fractures in bones (often wrist, femur and vertebrae) become more frequent.

> Pain, especially in the back.

Osteoporosis Treatment

The treatment of osteoporosis can vary depending on the cause of osteoporosis, only your doctor after having diagnosed, can find the best treatment.

Prevention of Osteoporosis

Prevention of osteoporosis, particularly among post-menopausal women or other groups at risk.
Calcium (daily intake should be 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium), to be taken with food or with chewable calcium or powders or in the form of effervescent tablets (possibly combined with vitamin D).

> Vitamin D, also called vitamin D3 (whose daily intake should be 400 IU or even 800 IU or 1,000 IU for many doctors), to be taken with food (fish), s ’sunning reasonably or with chewable vitamin D (possibly combined with calcium).

> The modulators or SERM selective estrogen receptor modulators (eg. Raloxifene), set in post-menopausal women.

In osteoporosis treatment (curative), osteoporosis once declared:
> Bisphosphonates (alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, ibandronate: in Switzerland, also known respectively as the acid: alendronic acid, diphosphonic acids, acid and acid Risedronic ibandronic), to be generally in the form of tablets once a week or months (depending on the drug).

> Calcium and vitamin D 3 (including the daily intake of vitamin D3 should be 400 IU or even 800 IU or 1,000 IU for many doctors) to take chewable tablet, powder or tablet Sparkling

> Calcitonin (a thyroid hormone) to take a nasal spray or as bulbs.

> Fluoride salts (eg. NaF).

> In severe cases: possible use of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a hormone that promotes the construction of bone tissue may be prescribed by your doctor.

Osteoporosis Natural Treatment

The best way to prevent natural and thus delay the onset of osteoporosis and eating foods rich in calcium (cheese, milk, some vegetables) and drinking mineral water rich in calcium (some brands like Valser ® Switzerland is rich in calcium).

The goal is to reach a daily calcium intake of 1,000 mg (1g) or more (up to 1,500 mg).

It is also important to have adequate vitamin D (vitamin D3 =) for this vitamin can recall the good calcium absorption in the intestine. Usually in spring, summer and fall of normal exposure to sunlight (20 minutes in the sun from time to time) allows an adequate synthesis of vitamin D (sunlight activates the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin).
In winter or other periods of low sun exposure diet rich in vitamin D, such as eating fish or egg yolk is highly recommended.