Who Does It Affect?
Self help treatment
Osteoporosis is a loss of calcification within the bones which may be associated with some loss of structural matrix. When matrix loss becomes predominant then the scene is described as osteopenia. Loss of calcium in bone may lead to brittleness due to loss of strength in the beams and surface of the bone.
The use of modern drug therapies is focussed upon the laying down of calcium on to the fragmented bone structure by inhibiting the actions of the osteoclasts. These cells are responsible for removing calcium from the bones so that fresh bone may be laid down. A bone may exchange half of its calcium content every 6 weeks in young people. The increase in calcium density looks good on modern scan reports but is it in fact a benefit?
In fact the increase in calcium on the beams within the bone may lead to increased rigidity and brittleness rendering the bone more susceptible to microtrauma and vulnerability to progressive fracture.
The side effects of the modern drug therapies are a matter of concern and the reader is advised to explore the incidence and type of these serious side effects and complications before embarking upon such therapy. These drugs can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw and the teeth to loosen, gastrointestinal ulceration musculoskeletal pain (pain of the joints, muscles, and/or bones), blood clots in the legs and lungs, and death due to stroke, etc
To explore this further please visit:
www.drugs.com/enc/osteoporosis.html
www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alendron_ad.htm
www.videojug.com/interview/osteoporosis-drug-side-effects
www.mayoclinic.org/specialty-pharmacy/osteoporosis.html
www.resource4fosamaxinfo.com/
www.medicinenet.com/risedronate/article.htm
www.healthsquare.com/newrx/cys1110.htm
http://stason.org/TULARC/health/virtual-drugstore/osteoporosis/alendronate.html
http://stason.org/TULARC/health/virtual-drugstore/osteoporosis/calcitonin.html
www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/3120/7906/oral-food-tips/
Raloxifene is reported to reduce the risk of breast cancer whilst offering a treatment for osteoporosis but still has side effects www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/center_news/2006/apr20/sart3.html
Evista is also claimed to reduce the incidence of breast cancer http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/15/content_6724662.htm
An interesting approach is that of self help treatment designed to control or reverse Osteoporosis and preserve the flexibility of bones by restoring or maintaining the balance of the orthoclastic (bone removal cells) and osteoblastic (bone depositing cells)l activity on the surface of the bone beams and external wall by ensuring that your diet does not force these cells to remove calcium from the bones to preserve the body homeostasis (molecular and enzymatic equilibrium). Calcium is needed for almost all cell functions. It is tied in with the way in which essential molecules are transmitted in to and out of our cells. Impaired calcium handling affects our muscle function and power, our nerve transmission and cognitive skills and dexterity and our bowel and skin function.
It is suggested that dietary imbalance can drive the body’s internal self-control to steal calcium from bones to preserve these imminent essential functions when our diet is imbalanced. Correction of the diet by self help treatment could serve to preserve normality of bone calcification and their collagen structure and perhaps restore some of it’s functional structure. It is argued that self help treatment (diet) may allow bones to recover and restore more normal load bearing function. This in turn should serve to reduce the incidence of further fractures and preserve the outcome of surgical interventions.
To this end the reader is encouraged to examine the work of Vivian Goldschmidt and her advice. It has to be said that the proposed concepts have not been tested by randomised controlled clinical trial but carry a certain logic which apparently resulted in benefit in her when treating her own osteoporosis. Even if such an approach deters further deterioration then it may be worth visiting her site http://www.saveourbones.com/
How Does it Present?
Osteoporosis is reduction in calcium support on the scaffolding support structure of bones. It may present with aching pain in the bones in the early stages and ultimately as fractures when the bone strength is insufficient to cope with the load applied. Hence it may present as fractures of the writ or hip or as Vertebral Compression Fractures.
Secondary Osteoporosis may arise from endocrine (hormonal) causes such as hyperparathyroidism or Kidney disease, abnormal diet, reduced oestrogens or therapeutically blocked oestrogen function, whilst Primary Osteoporosis may arise as a consequence of aging and diminished activity.
In this instance we are focussed on the presentation as Vertebral Compression Fractures but in so doing the underlying causes must be addressed together with a postoperative increase in activity.
Vertebral Compression Fractures present with pain felt in the spine often with local tenderness. This may spread to involve several levels and pain may arise in the supporting muscles as the attempt to maintain posture.
As the Vertebral Compression Fractures progresses, deformity occurs with increased stooping in the thoracic spine and eventual angulation. Abnormal posture will arise in the presence of a Vertebral Compression Fracture in the cervical or lumbar spine. Early fracture identification and timely treatment are crucial if the best outcomes of treatment are to be obtained