The body is made up of 206 bones. Of the 206 more than half of it – a 106 – is in the hands and feet. All the bones in the human body need calcium and phosphate for normal bone formation. Osteoporosis occurs when these two essential minerals are not received adequately by a person. This causes an imbalance in the formation of new bones and the re-absorption of old bones. Calcium is vital for bone formation. In order to maintain blood calcium levels, it will absorb calcium that is stored in the bones. Due to this, the body needs the proper levels of calcium for bone and bone tissue production. This requires the consumption of a diet rich in calcium. If for some reason, inadequate amounts of calcium are found in the body, this makes it hard on the bones. This causes the bones to become brittle and weak. Brittle and weak bones tend to break easily. Osteoporosis occurs due to the lack of a hormone as well. This hormone is oestrogen in women and androgen in men. Because of certain factors that affect hormone balance such as menopause and child birth, women are more susceptible to osteoporosis than men. The International Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that an osteoporotic fracture occurs every three seconds worldwide. This staggering fact indicates the gravity of this condition and importance of preventive measures. Statistics also indicate that osteoporosis affects more than 200 million women.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is not an illness which will manifest overnight. This can be present for a long time before making itself known. Individuals with osteoporosis will only realize they have it when they fracture their hip bones or ankles etc. Most fractures throughout will only cause faint pains to the person. They may complain of back pains or joint pains. These are small fractures which occur within the body without the person noticing. However, when an osteoporotic fracture finally does occur, it is a painful incident. Pain on areas that has to bear the most body weight can also mean you are suffering from osteoporosis. These pains will recede most often within a few weeks or may linger for a few months. Persons who experience these pains should consult with their doctors about what they can do to alleviate osteoporosis later in life. Women who have menopause and are experiencing pain in their necks or lower back areas, too should seek medical attention.

Treating Osteoporosis with the Right Diet and Medication

The best way to diagnose osteoporosis is through an x-ray. The affected areas of the bone in the x-ray appear lighter and thinner than the normal bones. If this is visible, medication should be taken to prevent further bone decay. Treating osteoporosis begins with slowing down or stopping the bone decay. A doctor will initially recommend a dose of daily calcium supplement to overcome this. The normal daily requirement of calcium is 1000 mg. In addition, most often, with proper diet and change of lifestyle, further advancement of osteoporosis can be avoided. Drinking milk and other calcium rich dairy products, including calcium enriched foods to the diet and doing weight bearing exercises all help to prevent further osteoporosis.

Fosamax to Prevent Imbalance of Bone Formation

Sometimes, an orthopaedic may have to be consulted if bone density wearing trend of a patient is extreme. The orthopaedic will prescribe medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis. There are many Canada prescription drugs which are available for this purpose. However, only medication prescribed by an orthopaedic or a licensed health care practitioner should be taken. Fosamax is a prescription medication which is given to increase bone mass and prevent osteoporosis. When taking Fosamax, it is a requirement that other supplements such as calcium and Vitamin D be taken as well. Fosamax should be taken before meals or drinks. It is advised to consume Fosamax with only water. The dosage of Fosamax will depend on the individual and the age of the individual. Therefore, it should never be taken without a physician’s advice.

The best method of preventing osteoporosis is to have a balanced diet, exercise and take proper supplements. With medication and supplements bought by Big Mountain Drugs, osteoporosis or further deterioration of the bones can be prevented. By taking care of your body at an early age and resorting to preventive measures, the chances of developing such debilitating conditions can be minimised.

Author

Author Chani Muditha Thebuwana contributes articles related to drugs and illnesses courtesy of BigMountainDrugs.Com. You can buy essential vitamins and medicines such as Fosamax 10 mg via our online pharmacy. We offer the convenience of ordering from your home and your purchases will be delivered to your doorstep. For more information on health related issues, visit our Big Mountain Drugs blog pages.