Homeopathy Treatment for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis means “porous bones”. It is a condition that causes formerly strong bones to gradually thin and weaken, leaving them susceptible to fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone micro architecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered.
Females are more susceptible to develop Osteoporosis because their bones are lighter and thinner and because their bodies experience hormonal changes after menopause that accelerates the loss of bone mass. In man the osteoporosis is uncommon until after the age of 70.
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Causes of Osteoporosis
The various causes of Osteoporosis are:-
- Hormonal causes: – 33% of women over 50 will experience an osteoporotic bone fractures. This is the average age in which women go through menopause and begin to experience hormonal imbalance. Estrogen levels in post-menopausal women are about one-tenth the amount present in pre-menopausal women. For this precise reason, women approaching menopause and those who have already gone through it are at a much higher risk of developing osteoporosis and suffering from bone fractures as a result. Without adequate levels of estrogen, bones aren´t able to absorb the proper amounts of calcium to replenish bone mass as cells slough off and die. Another part of estrogen’s role in bone reformation involves maintaining normal levels of vitamin D, an important nutrient in bone protection. As estrogen levels decrease, levels of vitamin D follow suit, and bone strength suffers.
- Diseases: many diseases can hamper the growth of new bone material. Some of these diseases are hyperthyroidism, disorders of the adrenal glands (Cushing’s syndrome, for instance), disorders of the pituitary gland, diabetes, and eating disorders.
- Medications: some medications can reduce bones´ ability to rebuild themselves. Some of the medications that can cause osteoporosis are glucocorticoid medications, prednisolone, excess thyroid hormone replacement, the blood thinner heparin, and certain anti-convulsant medications.
- Insufficient bone growth as a youth: Bones that didn´t get enough calcium early in life have a higher likelihood of becoming osteoporotic and fracturing as estrogen levels begin to decrease.
- Genetic factors: If a woman´s family members, especially her mother, have suffered from osteoporosis, the likelihood that she will develop the disease jumps dramatically. Genetics also helps determine the body type of a woman. If she inherited a small, thin body type, she is predisposed to osteoporosis.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Several risk factors increase your chances of developing osteoporosis or having a fracture, include:-
- A thin, small-boned frame
- previous fracture or family history of osteoporotic fracture
- estrogen deficiency, resulting from early menopause (before age 45), either naturally, from surgical removal of the ovaries, or as a result of prolonged amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menstruation) in younger women
- Advanced age
- Diet low in calcium
- Caucasian or Asian ancestry (African, Americans and Hispanics are at lower but significant risk)
- Smoking
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Prolonged use of certain medications.
Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and become brittle. The main effect of weakening of bones is bone fractures. These bone fractures can occur from fairly mild falls.
The most commonly fractured bones are the bones in the wrists, hip, pelvis, ribs and spine. These fractures can be debilitating as they can affect mobility and cause ongoing or chronic pain.
Signs and symptoms of fractures caused by osteoporosis are:
- Dowager’s hump or a “hump back” (forward bending in the spine)
- loss of height
- chronic back pain
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
An examination to diagnose osteoporosis can involve several steps that predict your chances of future fracture, diagnose osteoporosis, or both. It might include:
- An initial physical exam
- Various x rays that detect skeletal problems
- Laboratory tests that reveal important information about the metabolic process of bone breakdown and formation
- A bone density test to detect low bone density.
Treatment of Osteoporosis
Homeopathy treat the Osteoporosis by constitutional treatment. This is the process by which a homeopathic physician selects and administers a woman’s own constitutional remedy based on the totality of her symptoms and her physical, mental, and emotional state. This strengthens the body’s vital defenses and restores a healthy balance and sense of well-being.
Living with pains and an increased tendency to fractures, and other symptoms of menopause like mood swings, hot flushes, loss of libido significantly reduces the quality of life of a woman. Homeopathy is a boon for such females.
If the homeopathic treatment is started in the initial stages the prognosis is good and in most cases, the condition can be reversed. At later stages of the disease homeopathic medicines may not be able to reverse the situation but can still help in easing many symptoms.
How Homeopathy helps in Osteoporosis?
- Homeopathic remedies for osteoporosis helps the body absorb calcium and strengthen the bones to prevent Osteoporosis
- Homeopathic remedies bring the body into better balance and help its minerals and nutrients be used efficiently.
- Homeopathic medicines are also helpful for aching bones and prevention or healing of fractures.
So homeopathy helps improving the quality of life after menopause.
Management of Osteoporosis
Increase calcium intake: Increase your dietary intake of calcium. Calcium is found in dairy products–milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc. At least two glasses of milk are recommended for women undergoing or heading for menopause.
Exercise: Adequate exercise is a must for menopausal and post-menopausal women, as it reduces the rate of loss of calcium. Women who exercise less generally develop more osteoporosis.
Soya foods: Soya foods have been found to contain natural phyto-estrogens that are very helpful in menopausal and post-menopausal women. The potential health benefits are the reduction of hot flushes and vaginal dryness, protection against coronary heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer.