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Guarding against osteoporosis a lifelong endeavour

Posted on: Sunday, 9 March 2003, 06:00 CST

Guarding against osteoporosis a lifelong endeavour

Source: New Straits Times

Loss of skin elasticity, and of hair, teeth and even eyesight - likewise vigour and strength - are all signs of ageing. But "shrinking"?

Ever notice how some women seem to get smaller with age and also become progressively stooped? Or how they easily fracture their hips and bones?

Contrary to popular belief, shrinking and becoming susceptible to bone injuries are not due to the ageing process per se. They are caused by what is known as osteoporosis, which is a loss of bone mass. The effects - and no part of the skeletal system is spared - are weakened bones that become susceptible to breakage.

The condition is however mostly preventable, although, as of now, there is no definite cure.

When you're young: Everyone says it's important to take calcium to help build strong bones and teeth. But do you actually know why? In point of fact, calcium is needed to help construct sound bone mass, and improve bone density and bone structure. Bone mass is composed of mineral and organic components. The former consists of calcium salt and phosphate salt, and the latter largely collagen fibres. The salts combine to form hydroxypapatite crystals to give bone its strength while the collagen fibres give it flexibility. In osteoporosis, bone mass becomes weak and thin, leading to bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures.

Bone density refers to the strength of the bone and its mineral concentration. Studies have shown that after the age of 35, the bone loses about one per cent of its density per year.

One of the best methods for early detection of osteoporosis is to measure bone density through the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test.

One way of preventing osteoporosis is to eliminate bone density loss through a Bone Remodelling Cycle. It is when you're young that you need to begin a disciplined dietary intake of calcium. Milk and dairy products are the best sources of calcium, and so are fish and dark green vegetables, among others.

Recent medical research has found that Vitamin D actually helps bones to absorb calcium or calcium supplements - by as much as between 30 and 80 per cent. But the natural intake of Vitamin D (sunlight, eggs and fish) is often not sufficient, and has to be supplemented.

When you're older: Women over 50 years of age stand a higher chance of having osteoporosis. This is because at menopause there is a reduction in the production of the oestrogen hormone, which is capable of blocking or slowing bone loss.

Osteoporosis gives no early warning signs. More often than not, realisation results only after a bone fractures from a minor incident.

The risk of fracture is particularly high in patients with advanced osteoporosis in the long bones, such as those of the legs, which can break under the strain of standing.

And when human bones are broken, there is an added life- threatening risk as it can result in fat emboli getting lodged in blood vessels of the heart or brain.

This may lead to an embolic attack, or more commonly known as a stroke or a heart attack. But before matters get to such a serious stage, there is a simple test you can perform by yourself.

Simply measure the horizontal arm span, from middle finger tip to middle finger tip across the back.

This measurement should match your actual height. Any difference could point to height loss due to osteoporosis, in which case a check-up by a doctor is advised.

Better yet, pay a visit to an endocrinologist, who is an expert trained in treating diseases that affect hormone-producing glands. For osteoporosis, the problems are first identified and treatments then prescribed to prevent bone loss and fractures.

In the meantime:

* Keep up your calcium intake - Remember that calcium in the bones cannot be stored for later years' needs. When the amount of calcium in the blood drops, bone calcium is tapped to meet the deficiency. This is to say that there should be continuous and sufficient intake of calcium on a daily basis.

* Maintain a healthy lifestyle - Avoid excessive smoking and alcohol, which can cause bone loss. Exercise regularly and pay particular attention to combining physical movement and stress on limbs, like weight-bearing workouts, and walking, jogging, aerobics and cycling.

* Know the facts and the risks - Be aware that genetic make-up, to a large extent, determines a person's risks of having osteoporosis. According to research data, the risk is double when one's mother suffers from it.

Asian women, having smaller body build, could also be more susceptible to osteoporosis due to their comparably lower bone mass and density.

The effects of osteoporosis can be very distressing. They include a hunched back, height loss, constant back pain and impaired mobility. So put your back to preventing osteoporosis now, before it has a chance to break your back.

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