What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disorder. It develops slowly over the years and is often diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture). In this disorder, the density of bone is decreased, leading to bone weakness and fractures.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fracture. Around one-half of women above the age of 50 years will experience a hip, wrist, or vertebra fracture.
Your body requires minerals, calcium, and phosphate to make healthy bones. The body continues to resorb old bone and creates new bone. As long as your body contains a good balance of new and old bone, your bones stay healthy and strong.
Bone loss occurs when the rate of old bone resorption exceeds the rate of new bone formation. Sometimes, bone loss occurs without any apparent cause. In some cases, bone loss can run in families. Generally, older women are more prone to develop bone loss.
What Are the Risk Factors of Osteoporosis?
The risk factors of osteoporosis are,
1)Being Female: Osteoporosis occurs more commonly in women.
2)Being Older: Our bones naturally lose some density and become weaker as we age.
3)Having a Family History of Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis can run in families.
4) Having a Thin Frame: People with thinner bone frames are more prone to osteoporosis.
5) Menopause: Menopause is marked by a steep estrogen drop, a female sex hormone protecting bones. When estrogen levels decrease, bones may lose density and become prone to fractures.
The other major risk factors of osteoporosis are,
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People who have low calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in their bodies.
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Among aged men, osteoporosis occurs due to a lack of testosterone.
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Other than people affected with kidney failures, people taking anticonvulsants, steroids, and individuals with hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism have an increased risk.
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Smoking and alcohol consumption.
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Having an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
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Rheumatoid arthritis.
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Malabsorption problems, as in celiac disease or Crohn's disease.
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Long periods of inactivity.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis by itself has no symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may notice the following signs and symptoms:
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Dull bone pain.
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Chronic low back pain.
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Kyphosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine, causing “hunchback.”
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Fracture of bones even with minor trauma.
How to Diagnose Osteoporosis?
The doctor may ask questions related to osteoporosis risk factors. The doctor might also review the patient’s medical conditions with medications taken every day and check for calcium and vitamin D levels to determine the overall metabolic activity of the bones.
If the doctor determines that you are at risk for osteoporosis, he might order a BMD (bone mineral density) test. The common example is DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan, which is done if necessary. DEXA scan is a painless rapid test that uses X-ray images to measure bone density and fracture risk.
How to Prevent Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is prevented by,
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Doing a regular physical exercise like walking for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
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Having sun exposure for a minimum of 5 to 10 minutes daily.
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Adequate calcium intake through diet and supplements up to 1000 to 1200 mg per day.
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Taking vitamin D - 800 IU per day.
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Avoid excess salt intake, which leads to increased calcium loss in urine.
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Aged people should use walking sticks and western toilets to prevent fractures.
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Proper nutrient supplements should be taken if there is calcium or vitamin D deficiency.
Diet Rich in Calcium:
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Calcium-rich foods are milk and milk products, soya beans, almonds, green leafy vegetables like spinach and turnips, fortified orange juice, cereals with vitamin D, seafood, and coconut.
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Daily chewing a handful of white sesame in the morning provides at least 1200 mg of natural calcium. Soak ten almonds overnight in water. In the morning, peel them and blend them with a cup of warm milk and drink it.
What Are the Ayurvedic Approaches Given for Osteoporosis?
The ayurvedic treatments for osteoporosis are,
1) Internal Administration of Ghee:
When it comes to osteoporosis, the magic of ghee comes from healthy fats, which reduces inflammation in the body. Usually, inflammation speeds bone loss and so by limiting inflammation, you can keep bone loss to a minimum.
2) Panchakarma:
Panchakarma is a five detox process that uses a variety of detox strategies, including digestive cleansing, nasal irrigation, and other methods with enhanced herbal mixtures. This panchakarma stimulates healing and cell growth throughout the body. In addition to enhancing bone growth, it also aids in balancing vata in the body.
3) Abhyanga:
Abhyanga is a type of ayurvedic massage given by ayurvedic practitioners. Abhyanga enhances vata balance, reduces inflammation, and slows down bone loss. Ayurvedic oils with careful pressure are provided on the specific trigger points.
4) Bastis:
A basti is an enema containing unique formulas and herbs based on ayurvedic principles. A well-formulated basti restores vata balance, clears toxins from the digestive system, and reduces osteoporosis.
5) Other Ayurvedic Medications:
Ingestion of single herbs like Shatavari, Vidari, wild yam might help in strengthening bones. Praval Pishti is the ultimate remedy for treating osteoporosis and bone disorders. Kukkutanda tvak bhasma helps treat osteoporosis developed after delivery.
Laksha Guggulu is an ayurvedic medicine used for treating bone-related problems. Gandha thailam is a famous ayurvedic medicine used for managing fractured bones.
Bonton granules are a unique combination of herbs that strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis. Asthi poshak tablets serve as a calcium supplement and stop developing old age and menopause-related osteoporosis. It also prevents calcium deficiency caused during pregnancy and lactation.
What Are the Natural Ayurvedic Ways That Help to Maintain Bone Health?
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Do regular physical exercise to boost bone health and get strong bones,
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Make the midday meal your most prominent and eat a light dinner.
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Shoo away your stress with meditation.
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Make your meals nourishing and easy to digest.
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Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.
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Consume ghee, coconut, and olive oil.
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Consume more nuts and seeds.
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Regular body massage helps to strengthen the bones and joints.
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Eat a balanced, healthy diet every day.
Conclusion:
Osteoporosis is a degenerating bone disease where the bone density decreases, causing bone weakness and fracture. The affected person can avoid and cure bone brittleness through ayurveda. The ayurvedic treatments mentioned above are some vata pacifying techniques that can strengthen bones also. Thus, ayurvedic medicines can work with over-the-counter medication to cure osteoporosis. Be sure to follow a healthy lifestyle through diet, sleep and work routine to reduce the risk.
