HEALTH ISSUES WITH ACHEEVER; OSTEOPOROSIS CONT.

Thank God Almighty for the success of the last write up on OSTEOPOROSIS.

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In my previous post, I talked about;

1. Meaning and some facts of osteoporisis

2. Some causes an risk factors

3. And its symptoms and signs

I strongly hope you enjoyed that.

Today, our lesson will be based on;

1. EFFECTS of OSTEOPOROSIS

2. FACTORS AFFECTING BONE STRENGTH

3. VARIOUS TESTS USED TO DIAGNOSE OSTEOPOROSIS

4. RECOMMENDATION OF BONE DENSITY TEST

• EFFECTS OF OSTEOPOROSIS

The effects of osteoporosis need not to be overemphasized as they can be identified with ease from all we have been discussed in the previous lesson. However, some of these consequences include but not limited to;

1. Imagine having a great loss of bone mass in any part of the body, particularly in the spinal region. What do we think this can lead to?

Obviously, osteoporosis in the spinal region of an individual's body can change his/her physical appearance. For example; such individual could experience loss of height, a curving of the shoulders and back, and a thickening waistline.

1. Osteoporosis itself does not result into pain but the fracture from it does. However, most fractures that occur in adults with minimal level of trauma are commonly a consequence of osteoporosis.
   An example of this is that from a simple fall which could be a fall from a height < 1 metre.

2. A hip fracture as result of this health condition may consequently lead into temporary disability, permanent disability, or even death.

3. In individuals with a spine fracture, the possibility of future fractures is very high.

4. Hip fractures increase as an individual ages.

• FACTORS AFFECTING BONE STRENGTH?

Osteoporosis is the major and most common of the factors that determine the strength of bones, most especially in women at their menopausal stage. However, the measure of how fragile a bone is may also be determined by other factors, which include, but not limited to;

1. NUTRITION; Vitamin D and Calcium

Since the effects of osteoporosis is mainly expressed in the bones, nutrients that can strengthen and decrease the fragility of bones should be taken.
Almost two-third of the bone constitutes Calcium phosphate, food containing high calcium extends the onset of osteoporosis in an individual.
In addition, high intake of vitamin D increases the absorption of Calcium and most of which is obtained from sunlight.

1. EXERCISE
   Exercise is another factor that affects the bone strength. Just like muscle, bone is a living tissue that gets stronger with exposure to exercise. However, not all exercises can increase the bone strength but weight-bearing exercises do.
   Example of these exercises are;

i. Low-impact Dancing

ii. Doing high-impact aerobics

iii. Hiking

iv. Jogging/running

v. Jumping Rope

vi. Stair climbing

vii. Tennis etc.

1. AGE
   The bone strength of a young, agile individual is more significant compared to an older one. This simply means;the higher the age, the lower the bone intensity.
   This factor of age is more expressed in women because at a certain age they reach their menopausal stage at which the secretion of oestrogen is greatly influenced.

• VARIOUS TESTS USED TO DIAGNOSE OSTEOPOROSIS
  The underlisted tests are used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis.

i. Mineral bone test or Bone density test

ii. Bone densitometry

iii. Dual X-ray Absorptiometry also called DEXA or DXA

• RECOMMENDATION OF BONE DENSITY TEST
  Bone density test is highly recommended for the following sets of people;

1. Virtually all women, as they have higher risk of exposure to osteoporosis

2. People of old age, both men and women as they also have high risk of osteoporosis.

That's all for this night. Hope you enjoy the lesson.

Your comments, upvotes, and resteems are highly appreciated.