HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a condition
where your bones become weak and are thus more likely to break. Your bones lose calcium and the insides become
porous , like a honey comb. Technically speaking this is called losing bone mass
. People with low bone mass are more susceptible to breaking bones.
Osteoporosis is the most common cause of fractures.
Roughly 10 million individuals over age 50 in the United States have
osteoporosis of the hip. An additional 33.6 million individuals over age 50
have low bone mass or “osteopenia” of the hip and thus are at risk of
osteoporosis and its potential complications later in life.
Due primarily to the aging of the population, the
prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass is expected to increase. By 2020,
one in two Americans over age 50 is expected to have or be at risk of
developing osteoporosis of the hip; even more will be at risk of developing
osteoporosis at any site in the skeleton.
Osteoporosis
does not affect everyone to the same degree. Women, especially older women, are
more likely to get the disease than are men. An estimated 35 percent of
postmenopausal White women have osteoporosis of the hip, spine, or distal
forearm. That said, men, especially elderly men, can and do get osteoporosis.
The age-adjusted
prevalence of osteoporosis and the rate of hip fracture are lower in Black
women than in White women in the United States. The prevalence of osteoporosis
in Hispanic and Asian women is similar to that found in White women, and the
incidence of hip fractures among Hispanic women in California appears to be on
the rise. However, it is important to remember that osteoporosis is a real risk
for any aging man or woman.
Osteopenia —After
having a bone test, your doctor may tell you that you have Osteopenia.
Osteopenia is not a disease , but just the technical term for having lower than
normal bone density. Your bone density is lower than is normal and safe, but
not so low that osteoporosis is indicated. Roughly 34 million women and 12 million men have Osteopenia in
the US.
Low bone
mass can be caused by variety of factors including , but not limited to :
·
Genetics
·
Non- ideal bone mass development
during adolescence
Having low
bone mass does not mean you will develop osteoporosis, however your risk to
develop this disease and the associated fractures greatly increases.
Causes—Actually
there is no single factor that causes osteoporosis. Rather, there are numerous
risk factors that contribute.
Aging- Bone
loss inevitably starts to happen as we get older. Bone is a living tissue that
is always growing and being replaced. Most people reached their maximum bone
mass density in their mid thirties. Afterwards , the rate at which bone
degrades and is removed starts to become larger than the rate that new bone is
created.On average I % of bone mass is lost per year starting around age 40
Hormones-The
female hormoneestrogen plays an
important role in osteoporosis. Women need estrogen to keep their bones strong
, and estrogen production falls for all women once menopause starts. In women,
bone loss can reach much higher levels about 3-5 %, during the first 5-6 years
in post menopause.About one
out of every three postmenopausal women has osteoporosis to some degree, even
mild osteoporosis leads to an increased risk of fractures, particularly of the
hip, vertebrae and wrists. Fractures can have serious consequences as well.
About 20 percent of elderly women who undergo hip replacement surgery due to a
hip fracture die within one year. And half of those who survive will require
full-time nursing care.
Genetics-Heredity
is a factor and people with a history of osteoporosis in their family should be
diligent in monitoring their bone mass density. Heredity also plays a factor in
the skeleton structure you begin with. Individuals who naturally have skinnier, less
dense skeleton structures are more prone
to osteoporosis since they will have less bone mass to begin as they
enter middle / old age.
Physical
activity-Like muscles bones are living tissue that need exercise in
order to remain strong and healthy. Stress from physical activity –whether it
comes normal every day activities like walking or from physical training –
exerts force on your bones. Your bones respond by restructuring and building up
bone. Just like muscles , if you are inactive , your bones become weaker since
there is nothing for the to respond to. Use it or lose it.
Diet-Calcium
, vitamin D, and phosphorus are all critical building blocks for bone. If your
diet is lacking in these foods , this can contribute to osteoporosis
Smoking - The relationship between bone
loss and smoking has been confirmed by numerous studies. However, once you quit
smoking, even later in life, the bone loss influenced by this habit can be
minimized.
Excessive alcohol intake -
People who drink alcohol to excess are more prone to fractures. This may be
partially due to the diuretic effect of alcohol, which induces calcium losses
through the urine. Alcohol can also decrease the absorption of calcium from the
intestines and cause deficiencies in vitamin D and magnesium - both of which
are important to bone health.
High sodium intake - Several studies have
demonstrated the harmful effects of high dietary sodium on bone integrity.
Reducing sodium intake can reduce bone loss considerably.
Coffee - Coffee consumption of more than
two cups a day may contribute to accelerated bone loss.
High consumption of animal protein - Some
studies have shown that a diet high in animal protein actually promotes bone
loss by leaching calcium from the bones, although the verdict is still out on
this issue.
A high acid-ash diet - Recent research has
suggested that eating an acid-ash producing diet (high in animal protein and
grains, low in vegetables and fruit) causes an increase in urinary excretion of
calcium, leading to bone loss.
Medications - Certain medications, such as
cortisone, corticosteroids, thyroid supplements, anticoagulants and
anticonvulsants can interfere with calcium absorption, that may contribute to bone demineralization.
Illness-Additionally other illness such as
diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism can cause bone loss.
Certainly
men are not immune to osteoporosis. Bone loss is more gradual in men, but once
they reach age 70 their risk for osteoporosis increases significantly. Men in
this age group are at increased risk for fractures.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
is often called a silent disease as it does not have any obvious external
symptoms until a fracture occurs. In a recent study , nearly half of women age
50 or older had osteoporosis or low bone mass density and did not know it. You
may not know you have osteoporosis until you actually have a serious sign such
as breaking a broken or fractured bone, lower back pain, or a hunched back.
Breaking a bone occurs while doing normal activity such as climbing stairs ,
bending forward , or lifting objects.
Osteoporosis
can affect any bone in your body , but tends to occur most frequently in the
hip, waist, and spine. Osteoporosis in the vertebrae of the spine is a very
serious problem.
Symptoms
of osteoporosis in your vertebrate include:
·
Height loss- osteoporosis leads to
vertebrae in your spine collapsing and actually making you shorter.
·
Back pain
·
Curved or hunched back
·
Sloping shoulders
If
you are elderly , a broken hip makes up to four times more likely to die within
three months. If you survive , the injury often cause your health to spiral
downward. One in five people with a hip fracture ends up in a nursing home
within a year. Many others become isolated , depressed, or frightened to leave
home because they fear they will fall.
RADIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Radiological evidence of decreased bone
mass is more reliable, but about 30 percent of the bone mass must be lost
before it becomes apparent on X- rays. Following features may be noted on X-
rays
·
Loss
of vertical height of a vertebra due to collapse
·
Cod
fish appearance- The dish bulges in to the adjacent vertebral bodies so that
the disc becomes biconvex
·
Ground
glass appearance of the bones, conspicuous in bones like the pelvis
·
Singh’s
index- Singh et al. graded osteoporosis in to 6 grades based on the trabecular
pattern of the femoral neck trabeculae
Metacarpel index and vertebral index
are other methods of qualification of osteoporosis.
OTHER INVESTIGATIONS
These include the following , some of
them more recent:
·
Biochemistry : Serum calcium, phosphates and alkaline phosphatase
are within normal limits. Total plasma proteins and plasma albumin may be low.
·
Densitometry : This is a method of quantify osteoporosis. In this
method absorption of photons ( emitted from gamma emitting isotopes ) by the
bone calcium is measured. Two types of bone densitometry are available –
ultrasound based and X-ray based . DEXNA scan is an X-ray based bone densitometry
, and is the gold standard in the quantification of bone mass.
·
Neutron activation analysis : In this method ,calcium in the bone is activated
by neutron bombing , and its activity measured.
·
Bone biopsy
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Homoeopathic remedies are very effective for treating osteoporosis. Some
of the important remedies are given below
CALCAREA PHOS 30-
Calcarea phos is one of the top homoeopathic medicines in curing osteoporosis. Here the bones
are delicate and easily breakable.The bones of the head are deficient in
quality and quantity. This will promote the absorption of calcium from the food
that the patient takes. The bones of the neck are too small and weak to support
the head which is normally large. The bones of the extremities are also weak
and fragile.
Calcarea phosphorica
is an excellent medicine for treating curvature of spine in osteoporosis
patients. It is mainly given to those patients of osteoporosis who
have weak spine and soft bones which lead to curvature of spine .Such
patients are unable to support their body. This homeopathic medicine is also
used if anaemia is present along with curvature of spine in osteoporosis
patients. Calcarea phosphorica is also prescribed in curvature of spine
when associated backache which is worse in cold weather and from exertion . Stools
green, undigested and offensive. No appetite, it is a bone builder and creates
new blood cells. It gives general tone to the entire organism.
CALCAREA CARB.30-Calcarea carb. is
often helpful to individuals who are easily tired by exertion and tend to feel
anxious and overwhelmed from work or stress. The person may be chilly, flabby
or overweight, and feel worse from cold and dampness. Back pain, swollen
joints, and a sweaty head at night are often seen. People who need this remedy
often have strong cravings for both eggs and sweets.
CACAREA FLOUR. 30—Calcarea flour. Is
prescribed when cracking in the joints is present. Easy joint dislocation .
Swelling and indurated enlargements haing their seat in the tissue and
ligaments, tendons of joints. Chronic lumbago. Lumbago worse on beginning to
move and ameliorated on continued motion.Better from rubbing, warm
application
SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE
30—Symphytum
officinale is the top remedy for treating fractures in osteoporosis.
Symphytum officinale is commonly known as ‘knit bone’ and as the name
represents it helps in knitting/uniting the fractured bone by increasing the
callous production. This remedy helps in union of fractured bone very
efficiently. Fractures where patients complain of pricking type of pain at fractured
site can be greatly relieved by this medicine. Symphytum can also
help in reducing the irritability at the site of fracture .
RUTA GRAVEOLENS 30- Ruta
Graveolens is another effective remedy employed in the treatment of fractures
in osteoporosis.Whenever a bone gets fractured the surrounding tendons and
ligaments of bones also get damaged. This medicine helps in
healing torn tendons and ligaments. It also helps in repairing the
damaged bone. This homeopathic remedy helps in decreasing the pain,
soreness and stiffness around fractured area mainly wrist fracture
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
30--Hypericum
perforatum is the another useful Homeopathic medicine that can be used with
confidence for the excessive pain in back due to crushing of nerves in between
damaged vertebral bones. The excessive pains and sensitiveness in
back after fracture of vertebral bones that are worse by slight motion of
neck or arms ,can be efficiently controlled by Hypericum .
SILICEA 200-Silicea is another
excellent that can cure of fracture in osteoporosis patients.
Silicea is usually prescribed in those patients of osteoporosis in which
the disease is due to defective assimilation of calcium . In such cases Silicea
is of considerable use and it helps by enhancing the assimilation power of
digestive system. Silicea is also very helpful where pus or fistula
formation has occurred at the site of fracture. Silicea helps in
efficient union of broken bone and it also held in removing bone splinters.
PHOSPHORUS 30- Phosphorus can also
give best results in curvature of spine in patients of osteoporosis if burning
sensation in spine is present along with curvature. Phosphorus is also
useful for pain and weakness of spine. The patient feels intense pain in
spine , as if the spine was broken.
SULPHUR 200-Sulphur is
utilised in those patients of osteoporosis who develop curvature of spine and
walk and sit in a stooping position. Curvature of spine when associated
with backache is effectively treated with this natural remedy. Another marked
feature Sulphur is excessive heat sensation in body especially
soles of feet alongwith pain and curvature of spine .
FLUORIC AICD 30-Fluoric acid is
effective when stabbing pain in bone is present which is worse at night
AURUM METALLICUM 30- Osteoporosis
with pain worse at night. Pain mainly in the skull, nose or
palate .
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