Uncertain,

incapacitated,

Hurts too profoundly,

Aspirations fragmented,

Demands an assisting aid,

commitments turn out to be a nightmare?

Heartbreak? Nah, Bone-break.

Bone-breaks hurt more than Heart-breaks, isn't it ?!

 

A broken/fractured bone is a state that alters the contour of the bone. Bone is a rigid organ commonly built up of collagen that provides a framework, and Calcium phosphate renders strength to the bone.

 

#1 Why does a bone break?

 

Upsetting events such as sporting injuries, vehicle mishaps, and slips

 

• Bones tend to break if the person has a Low bone density.

• Pathological conditions like osteoporosis and a few types of cancer also induce bones to break. 

 

#2 What is bone remodeling?

 

Bone remodeling is a consecutive process of bone breakage. The Specialized cells called osteoclast ( tears down bone mass ) and osteoblast are responsible for ossification (or) new bone formation.

Significance: Osteoclast cells maintain calcium homeostasis by releasing calcium ions into the bloodstream during bone resorption.

 

#3 What is the relationship between calcium and bone?

 

Calcium is the building block of bones, which makes it stronger than steel. Calcium cannot enhance bone strength, but the inadequate quantity of calcium could cause Low Bone Density , which eventually causes osteoporosis.

 

#4 Do calcium supplements improve the condition of osteoporosis?

 

 

In senior citizens, particularly in post-menopausal women, the rate of bone breakage is considerably higher than it is built. Inadequate intake of calcium can cause low bone density disorder called osteoporosis. Therefore this loss could be counterbalanced by administering calcium supplements.

 

• Calcium is one of the key minerals in our body that is used up in many physical functions. Our body tends to lose calcium every day through sweat, nail, etc. since our body cannot prepare its calcium, practitioners prescribe calcium supplements.
• An average older adult over 50yrs can consume 1200mg per day.
• Excessive calcium intake may cause other complications, such as kidney stones.

 

#5 How do Vitamin supplements help in osteoporosis?

 

• Vitamin D aids in absorbing calcium and phosphorus from that food we consume.
• Vitamin D can be made in the body only when the sunlight falls on the skin.
• People in temperate zones such as Newzealand, Australia, barely get sunlight in the winter seasons. Therefore, senior citizens who live in these zones find it hard to prepare vitamin D in the body.
• Few ways to acquire vitamin D through food are intake of vitamin D-rich foods such as dairy products, beef liver, orange juice.
• Vitamin A - enhances bone strength. A greater amount of vitamin-A lowers bone density. Sources of vitamin -A are kale, cheese, fish, etc. 
• Even though we intake vitamin-rich foods, it is hard to meet the needs of the body. Therefore, Physicians prescribe us to administer vitamin supplements.
• Each day, an adult ( both men and women ) is advised to consume 1000mg of vitamin supplements.

 

#6 Strontium for osteoporosis?

 

• A unique form of strontium known as Strontium ranelate is said to improve Low bone density and enhance the formation of bones.
• It is hard to add them to the diet as they are hardly found in seawater and soil. They can be found in small traces in seafood.

 

#7 Two different types of osteoporosis

 

1. Type I Osteoporosis ( or ) Primary osteoporosis is also called idiopathic/ Post-menopausal osteoporosis. It is majorly due to the drop in the levels of estrogen ( in women).
2. Type II osteoporosis ( or ) Secondary Osteoporosis is due to the asymmetry in the formation of bone.

 

#8 Diagnosis of osteoporosis

 

Bone Mineral Density is the initial criterion for identification. Densitometry ( DXA ) is the primary X-ray of the density of bones like bones in the wrist, spine.

Osteoporosis is not an imminent disease, certain lifestyle changes such as physical exercise, proper calcium intake, quitting smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can make it preventable.