Osteoporosis + Original Articles

Osteoporosis is often associated with age, but smoking, alcohol abuse, and poor nutrition can play a role as well. We know osteoporosis can come with age, especially for post-menopausal women, but there are other causes for osteoporosis that aren't as well known. What are the hidden causes of this dangerous bone disease? Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become porous, lose density and strength, and become brittle and prone to breaking.

Understanding the source of your discomfort is the first step in receiving the right treatment regimen. Osteoporosis is sometimes called "the silent disease" because the decreased bone mass and fragile bones that characterize the condition may not be accompanied by any obvious symptoms. If you do feel pain, it is mostly likely the result of a bone fracture or break you were not even aware you had.

Find out the link and how you can prevent osteoporosis from complicating your life. Women's bodies can change a lot after menopause and one of the most ominous changes could be the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that occurs when bones become porous and brittle. The minerals that make up the bone become less dense, weakening bones and increasing risk for breakage.

How is a hip replaced? What are symptoms after? What's the recovery time? Get straightforward answers to these and other questions. People are living longer than ever and staying more active while they're at it. In fact, many are outliving some of their original body parts.  Hip replacement surgery is among the most commonly performed procedures in America. We know you have questions and we have your answers here.

This excellent cardiovascular workout also builds upper and lower body strength, and helps strengthen bones. And that’s only the beginning. Jumping rope is a heart pumping, calorie burning powerhouse exercise. It's portable, affordable, and challenging. All you need to get started is an inexpensive jump rope and some clear space. Jump rope has come a long way since grade school. Any length of rope will do, but plastic and beaded ropes hold their shape better than cloth ropes and cost less than $20.

It's never too early or too late to protect yourself from this debilitating disease. Here's a look at osteoporosis by the numbers. Literally translated, osteoporosis means porous bones. Osteoporosis is a major, underlying cause of fractures in older people. Because it's not possible to feel bones weakening and the disease progresses without symptoms, osteoporosis is often referred to as the "silent disease.

Proper eating can have an enormous impact on your health. Here's a look at nutrition by the numbers. If you want to look and feel your best, a healthy diet is key. Eating right may also help reduce your risk for such serious disorders as diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. But following a balanced diet can be challenging when you're not exactly sure what foods have which nutrients, and how much of a particular food you should be consuming.

Learn how to build strong bones and protect against osteoporosis. At some point—usually around age 30—everyone's bones begin to get thinner. But only some people will develop osteoporosis, a progressive disease that causes bones to become brittle and more likely to break. Your risk for osteoporosis depends on a number of factors, including the thickness of your bones when you were young, as well as the health, diet, and fitness levels you've maintained since.

An alarming number of older patients fail to continue taking their regular medications after they return home, particularly if they spent time in intensive care. While hospitals can be lifesavers, especially for the elderly, an alarming number of older patients fail to continue taking their regular medications after they return home—particularly if they spent time in intensive care. Why? Mainly because they neglect to renew their prescriptions.

Scientists now believe that consuming a diet high in acid-producing foods like animal proteins, processed foods, and sweeteners and low in fresh fruits and vegetables is partly responsible for the development of osteoporosis and diseases caused by chronic metabolic acidosis. Did you know your bones are responsible for maintaining your body's delicate pH balance, which impacts your overall health and may even play a role in longevity? What is pH balance? pH is a chemistry term that stands for "potential for hydrogen." In simpler terms, pH indicates how acid or alkaline a solution is on a scale of 1 to 14.

The best way to boost your bones, besides weight-bearing exercise, is to take in enough of the substances that strengthen and build your skeleton. Here's a rundown of the top nutrients you need for a fit frame. Your bones are the foundation of your body supporting you throughout your life. Just as you need to take care of your major organs, you need to tend to your bones in order to maintain optimal health. The best way to boost your bones, besides weight-bearing exercise, is to take in enough of the substances that strengthen and build your skeleton.

In recent study, people who took a specific type of osteoporosis medication known as bisphosphonates lived an average of five years longer than those who didn't take them. The pros and cons of bisphosphonate medications for osteoporosis have been in the news a lot lately. A new study adds a point to the "pro" column.  In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, people who took a specific type of osteoporosis medication known as bisphosphonates lived an average of five years longer than those who didn't take them.

As you age it's essential to protect your bones from breaks and fractures. You can take steps starting now to keep yourself safe and sound. When you were a kid, your risk of fractures came from the kind of activity you were doing—flying on a swing set, racing around the neighborhood on a two-wheeler, and tripping while closing in on second base could all lead to broken bones. But as you've gotten older, your risk of fracturing something is tied to issues of aging.

Can taking your calcium and vitamin D supplements be too much of a good thing? Some researchers say, "yes." We've waded through the research for you to help you understand when enough is enough and when it may actually be too much. Can taking your calcium and vitamin D supplements be too much of a good thing?  Some researchers say, "yes." We've waded through the research for you to help you understand when enough is enough and when it may actually be too much. A recent study published in the British Journal of Medicine suggests calcium supplements may increase your risk of a heart attack.

Recent research shows that brittle bones, long considered a women's problem, is taking a significant toll on men. Women's bones get all the attention but it turns they aren't the only ones whose bones break. Recent research shows that osteoporosis, long considered a women's disease, is taking a significant toll on men, too. Osteoporosis is defined as a decline in the density of bones that makes them weaker and more likely to break.

We hear a lot about osteoporosis–the big name in bone loss disease; but not so much about its "predecessor", osteopenia. We hear a lot about osteoporosis-the big name in bone loss disease; but not so much about its predecessor, osteopenia. Like osteoporosis, osteopenia means there's a decrease in the amount of calcium and phosphorus in bones. Decreased calcification, bone density, or bone mass is caused by inadequate osteoid (bone making cells) synthesis.

Already a nutritional superstar, Vitamin K may be even more beneficial than we think. Find out how to get your daily dose. The role of Vitamin K in helping the blood clot normally has been well established. Now, there is mounting evidence that Vitamin K is also crucial in improving bone health with studies showing that not only does Vitamin K increase bone mineral density in people with osteoporosis, it also reduces the number of fractures associated with osteoporosis, including hip fractures.

Actress Sally Field embodies the type of woman many of us strive to be. Her most important role however, may be as the face of osteoporosis, an all-too-common degenerative bone disease. Sally Field has been the face of the boomer generation ever since she landed the role of "Gidget" in 1965.  The Oscar winning actress won our hearts portraying strong-willed women such as Norma Rae. Equally impressive is her ability to play women we all relate to, like Nora, the matriarch in the hugely popular television drama, Brothers and Sisters.

Scientists have found that beer may have a more bone-protecting effect than wine or liquor. Researchers have known for quite some time that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol can help stabilize the bones of older men and women. But after digging a little deeper, scientists found that beer has a more protective effect than wine or liquor. In the earlier part of your life, your goal is to pump lots of calcium into your growing bones so that you build a strong skeletal structure.

Back pain can be caused by a number of conditions, but one that is often overlooked in osteoporosis. A number of different conditions can cause back pain, but one in particular is often overlooked. For millions of Americans the cause of their back pain is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

What does arthritis have to do with bone loss? Find out here. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes the cartilage and connective tissue around the tendons in joints to degrade. It leads to bone destruction and erosion of bone mineral density. This process can happen quickly in some patients.

In general, you can greatly reduce your risk of osteoporosis by eating the right foods and getting plenty of exercise. But for some people, this may not be enough. Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease. An estimated 10 million Americans have it, and another 18 million have low bone mass that may eventually lead to osteoporosis if untreated.  People with osteoporosis have brittle bones that break easily; a leading cause of disability in seniors.

Drinking milk isn't the only way to strengthen your bones. Check out these calcium-rich foods. Nearly 10 million Americans are living with dangerously fragile bones that are susceptible to breaks and fractures, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. But as it turns out, osteoporosis is preventable. The first step is incorporating the recommended daily amounts of calcium and vitamin D into your diet.

Lupus affects more women than men, but it also worsens two of the most common health problems women have — heart disease and osteoporosis. Lupus affects about 1.5 million Americans and nine times more women than men. There are several forms of lupus, but the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus. This autoimmune condition has serious side effects ranging from joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, anemia and chronic fatigue.

A bone mineral density (BMD) can help detect osteoporosis in its early stages so that treatment can begin. At what age should you get this important test, and how often should it be repeated? Get the facts here. Affecting more than 10 million Americans, osteoporosis can lead to bone fragility and an increased risk of fractures. Fortunately, a bone mineral density (BMD) can help detect osteoporosis in its early stages so that treatment can begin. What exactly does this test entail? At what age should you get this important test, and how often should it be repeated? According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), "A bone mineral density test uses a special machine to measure bone density.

Find out if you could be a candidate for hip replacement surgery, and learn more about the procedure. Also known as hip arthroplasty, hip replacement surgery can be beneficial to those with severe hip pain, helping to relieve symptoms and provide greater range of movement. However, the procedure isn't without its risks. Prospective patients should talk to their doctors and do their own research before deciding to proceed.

See how far the benefits of this disease-fighting protein can go besides promoting bone health and rich nutrition. Soybeans are legumes, such as peas, beans and lentils. They are one of the world's most important crops. Soybeans are consumed many different ways including edamame (young green soybeans), soy milk, soy nuts, soy yogurt, soy cheese, tempeh, miso, tofu and in a variety of meat substitutes such as veggie burgers.

Here are 10 disabilities arthritis causes that you should be aware of. Over 44 million Americans are living with arthritis, which includes over 100 different conditions. The two most common types are osteoarthritis, which affects 27 million people, and rheumatoid arthritis, which about 1.3 million people have. According to the CDC, by 2030 about 67 million people over 18 years old will have arthritis.

Osteoporosis affects millions of Americans and causes injury and disability, but new research studies are revealing more ways to build and protect bones and battle back against this disease. Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans, 80 percent of which are women. The disease makes bones weak and thin, and causes fractures and breaks. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that another 34 million people have low bone mass, which means they'll be at risk for osteoporosis in the future.

Osteoporosis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease often go hand in hand. Studies find that between 15 and 50 percent of patients who have Inflammatory Bowel Disease are also likely to have osteoporosis. Unlike Crohn's disease, however, there are no visible symptoms of osteoporosis. Doctors often do not diagnosis the disease until after bone damage has already occurred.

Each year we hear of the latest in medical innovations. Although these improvements amaze us at times, the majority of Americans will never come in contact with the latest breakthroughs…or so you think. In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming demonstrated penicillin’s antibiotic properties. However, it was not until 1942 that the now common antibiotic was available for mass production. Likewise, the first approved flu vaccine was developed by the United States military during World War II; however, it was not available for the public until the late 1950s.

Incorporating certain foods into your daily regimen could do wonders for your bones. Osteoporosis, or bone fragility, is of particular concern as we age. It affects millions of Americans, most of them women in midlife and older, causing fractures and loss of height. But this disease is not an inevitable part of aging-what you eat can make a huge difference in keeping your bones strong and able to support you throughout your life.

Clean teeth and healthy gums might be your first line of defense against other diseases. Learn more. As a kid, brushing your teeth may have seemed like a hassle, but as an adult, you should be aware of how important healthy teeth and gums really are. Oral health goes hand in hand with your overall health. Think of your mouth as a window to your body's health.

Learn more about what causes hip fractures and how you can prevent them from affecting you or a loved one. Anyone, at any age, can break a hip, although the injury is far more prevalent among those who are 65 and older. In fact, 95 percent of hip injuries occur in people who are over 65. Hip fractures are hard to ignore, as they usually cause severe pain in the hip and/or groin area.

Osteoporosis may weaken your bones, but it doesn't have to weaken your resolve to live a healthy and productive life. In the United States alone, approximately 8 million women and 2 million men have osteoporosis—a disease that causes deterioration of bone tissue and can lead to bone fragility as well as an increased risk of fractures. It's considered a "silent disease," because sufferers can remain symptom-free for many years, often until the event of a fracture or major break.

When it comes to osteoporosis, there are many misconceptions that may stand in the way of both prevention and treatment. Here, we uncover the biggest myths about the disease. Do you think that osteoporosis affects only women and older people? Do you believe you won't experience bone loss if you consume calcium every day? When it comes to osteoporosis, there are many misconceptions that may stand in the way of both prevention and treatment.

When consumed in moderation, this age-old brew can impart a host of health benefits. One of the oldest and most consumed alcoholic beverages, beer has served many roles since it was first brewed nearly 7,000 years ago. It's been featured in religious ceremonies, praised in literature, and prized for its medicinal properties. What the ancients suspected about the health benefits of beer, modern-day science continues to prove.

Follow these steps to reduce your risk of developing this degenerative bone disease. Affecting more than 10 million Americans, osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. Although any bone can be affected, the most common fractures occur in the wrist, hips, and spine.

Follow these tips to help protect your children from this degenerative bone disease. Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become less dense and more prone to fractures, is often thought of as an older person's disease. But experts are beginning to refer to this degenerative condition as a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences.

Afraid weight lifting will make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger? It won't. Here, we debunk other weight-lifting myths. Trying to lose weight? Put down the cookbook, and pick up some dumbbells. Some common misconceptions deter women from lifting weights, but the truth is weight lifting can help eliminate body fat. One study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated that women who strength trained twice a week for two years decreased their body fat by 3.

Many people don't know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. Find out if you're at risk, and learn how to prevent it. It's slips and falls, not sticks and stones, that may break the bones of people with osteoporosis. According to the American College of Rheumatology, approximately 8 million women and 2 million men have the disease, which weakens bones and makes them more likely to break.