Age Is Just A Number - Follow 5 Easy Tips For Better Bone Health

Mr. Gupta woke up one morning and felt a sharp pain in his right knee. Fresh sweat broke on his brow as he hazily wondered what could be the cause. Was it Osteoporosis? Or is it Arthritis? The 67-year-old man tried to sit up in bed but could not. He felt weak and vulnerable. Yesterday, he had tried to look up for information on bone health on the internet. The sheer volume of data made him even more confused and sad. Where could he find out authentic knowledge? He sighed and fell back into sleep.

Like him many people are either unaware of the importance of bone health or are in great difficulty even figuring it out. They honestly want good data, but are overwhelmed with information, much of which is just plain untrue.

Importance of Bone Health in Old Age

• They allow us to move our body, protect our brain, preserve our heart and other organs from injury.
• Minerals such as Calcium and Phosphorous keep our bones strong. These minerals are also needed to support other bodily processes.
• Bones create red blood cells which are vital for a healthy circulatory system.
• Bone cells boost the functioning of our immune system.
• Healthy bones prevent diseases like Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, both of which reduce bone density and weaken the skeletal structure.

If the problems faced by the bones are overlooked they can also lead to long-lasting health hazards. But the good news is that it is never too late to take care of your bones.

Peak Bone Mass and your age

Our maximum bone size and strength is called Peak Bone Mass. Genes play a large role in determining the amount of peak bone we have. Mostly people reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 30. It is the lifestyle factors (such as diet and exercise), that can influence whether we reach our full bone mass potential. As by the time we reach age 40, we slowly begin to lose our bone mass.

The Old Age risk factors for your bone health

1. Diet: Most people neglect it but the truth is that a proper healthy diet can determine the health of your bones. Taking too little calcium can increase your chances of getting Osteoporosis. Lack of Vitamin D can also increase your risk for the disease because this particular Vitamin helps the body to use Calcium in your diet.

2. Physical activity:  Not being active for long periods of time automatically increases your chances of getting Osteoporosis. Bones, like muscles, stay strong only with regular exercise and activity.

3. Body weight:  Good bone health depends on having adequate body weight.

4. Smoking: Smoking cigarettes keep your body from getting the required calcium in your diet. Also, women who smoke go through Menopause earlier than those who don’t. All these things automatically affect your bone health, increasing the risk for Osteoporosis.

5.Alcohol:  People who drink a lot are more likely to get Osteoporosis.

6. Medicines: Certain medicines for arthritis and asthma  may cause bone loss. Some medicines used against cancer and certain diseases of the uterus can also cause bone loss.

7. Age:  The chances of getting  Osteoporosis increase as you get older.

8. Gender: The risk of Osteoporosis is higher in women. Women have smaller bones than men and lose them faster than men do because of the hormonal changes after menopause.

9. Ethnicity:  White and Asian women are most likely to get Osteoporosis. Research shows that Hispanic and African American women are at lesser risk.

10. Family history:  Having a close family member who has Osteoporosis may also increase your risk of suffering from similar problems.

Maintaining bone health – what you can do

1.Eat a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D:  Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products and fruit juices with added calcium. Egg yolks, saltwater fish and milk are rich sources of Vitamin D. Many fruits and vegetables also contribute other nutrients that are important for retaining your bone health.

2. Get plenty of physical activity: Like muscles, bones become stronger with exercise. The best exercises for healthy bones are strength-building and weight-bearing, like walking, climbing the stairs, lifting weights, and dancing. It is highly advisable to get 30 minutes of exercise each day for improving your bone health.

3. Live a healthy lifestyle:The effect of smoking and drinking alcohol results in deterioration of bone health, hence leading a healthy lifestyle by avoiding these are highly advisable.

4. Talk to your doctor about your bone health: Go over your risk factors with your doctor and ask if you should get a bone density test. If you need it, your doctor can order medicine and help you to prevent bone loss and reduce your chances of breaking a bone.

5. Prevent falls: Falling down can cause a bone to break, especially in someone suffering from osteoporosis. Most falls can be prevented by checking your home for dangers like loose rugs or  poor lighting. Get your vision checked, increase your balance and strength by walking every day and taking classes involving physical activities like Yoga.

Role of medicines in bone health during Old age?

Thanks to scientific advancements and innovative treatments, medicines are being developed to prevent or slow down the onset of bone-related diseases like Osteoporosis. There are now several medicines for maintaining bone health. However, the importance of preventive measures is greater today than ever before. After all, prevention is better than cure!

The doctors and health experts at Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution  also hold the same opinion about the significance of bone health. Hence they suggest that regular check-ups, proper diet, daily exercise and an overall healthy lifestyle are absolutely essential in maintaining bone health.

We at Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution are confident of our unique treatment plan. We have received thousands of enthusiastic reviews and testimonials from our patients that Classical Homeopathy Classical Homoeopathy, Ayurvedic-Unani Formulations and Internationally Acclaimed Advanced Physiotherapy work together to rid one of pain in an effective and affordable manner. To avail of our services or to give your valuable feedback, call us at 1800 419 6607 (Toll free) or message us on WhatsApp at +91 98304 26607.

By Dr. Shabtab Khalid

Courtesy - Zilaxo Advanced Pain Solution

www.zilaxo.org