Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis ………

Before we delve into the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, let's briefly discuss what it is……………

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease in which the bones lose calcium and other essential minerals and, as such, they gradually become weaker and weaker, causing them to become fragile and extremely susceptible to bone fractures. In short, it is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue.

Although bone seems rock hard, bone is a living tissue and is constantly restoring itself. Cells called osteoblasts are responsible for making bone, while other cells called osteoclasts are needed to remove old bone.

However, if the osteoclasts cells break down the bone faster than it is replaced, then bone tends to become less dense and, as a result, it is likely to break more easily. During youth, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, but after age 30, this process begins to reverse.

In fact, bone is at its strongest when a person is around thirty, but thereafter it begins to decline and for women, this decline begins to accelerate at menopause. Therefore, if you have not accumulated sufficient bone mass during those formative times in childhood through early adulthood, or you loss it too quickly in later years, the risk of developing osteoporosis is increased.

In the United States, osteoporosis is a major health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans - 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, therefore, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Of the 10 million estimated to already have the disease, eight million are women and two million are men.

Now, before we delve into the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis, let's briefly discuss calcium.

Our bodies use various nutrients such as calcium to promote strong healthy bones. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and the number one nutrient in bones. The majority of calcium (99%) is stored in the bones and teeth keeping them strong and healthy. The other remaining 1% circulates in our blood where it performs a variety of important functions.

If not enough calcium is consumed through diet the body simply takes what it needs from your bones in order to carry out its vital functions. Needless to say, this bone bank withdrawals with no deposits cause bones to become brittle and porous over time.

Many people have the impression that osteoporosis is caused solely by a deficiency of dietary calcium and, as such, taking calcium supplements can help combat osteoporosis. However, this is not quite correct as there are other factors that appear to be important such as the way calcium is absorbed and used the body, not necessarily the amount of calcium consumed. In addition, the type of calcium consumed is also very important.

Moreover, while calcium is indeed an important nutrient in combating the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis there are other nutrients that play vital roles in battling this condition as well. Such nutrients include the correct balance of magnesium, boron, potassium, folic acid, and vitamins C, D, E, and K.

Now let's move on to the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis …..

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a "silent thief," meaning they are NO obvious signs or symptoms. The first indication may be a fracture. However, there are a few warnings signs and symptoms of osteoporosis.