OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass in humans and is considered one of the metabolic diseases of bone.
The condition is more common in the bones, the degree of which is allotted each year 1.5 million fractures, mainly of the spine, just in the United States.
The typical form of osteoporosis is evident in middle age, but also attacked more frequently women, known as postmenopausal osteoporosis. This is characterized by a smaller amount of bone at a level below that has the ability to retain the structural integrity of the skeleton.
To diagnose it can be taken into account a number of symptoms, such as:
Back pain by vertebral fractures.
Spontaneous fractures, which often occur incidentally on radiographs
Loss of height.
Demineralization, especially of the spine, hip and pelvis
The disease is asymptomatic until fractures occur. Usually manifest as back pain of varying degrees of intensity. Also for diagnostic tests are used.
The causes of the disease are hormonal deficiencies, smoking, alcoholism, malignancy, multiple myeloma, excessive intake of vitamins A and D, and other genetic disorders as diverse nature of protein-calorie malnutrition, rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus , to name a few.
It is known that women must eat an average of 800 milligrams of calcium per day all his life to prevent the development of osteoporosis. No-fat dairy products, orange juice fortified with calcium, green leafy vegetables, tortillas and cooked salmon or sardines on his bones are excellent sources of calcium supply.
Vitamin D, in appropriate doses, it promotes the absorption of calcium. Walking and daily exercise helps to maintain bone mass in equilibrium.
In general terms to prevent the disease should seek a diet with protein, calcium, vitamin D and total calories. Exercise and weight control are also useful for increasing muscle strength and bone density.
Take precautions to avoid falls at home is critical, especially for patients who suffer from balance problems.
The prognosis for postmenopausal prevention is good if you start in early treatment with estrogen.
Not to be confused with osteoporosis, osteomalacia, other metabolic bone disease. Unlike osteoporosis, this is characterized by defective skeletal mineralization.
The risk factors can be identified are:
* Old age
* Female
* Race (white or Asian)
* Low calcium intake
* Excessive alcohol
* Chronic use of glucocorticoids.
Corticosteroids for long-term control of persistent asthma, are potent anti-inflammatory drugs that can cause osteoporosis as a systemic effect.