What Are Some Measures to Prevent or Reduce Risks of Diseases or Conditions Related to Bone Health

The main concerns of bone health are osteoporosis (including osteopenia) and osteoarthritis. Although several factors contribute to these conditions, measures can be taken to reduce their risk or increase the chances of preventing them.

Osteoporosis is a condition that is characterized by a low bone mineral density (BMD). Osteoporosis and ostopenia are different in the sense that if you have osteopenia (also referred to as low bone mass) you have less bone loss than you would if you have osteoporosis.

Since bone is constantly changing, it is noted that in osteoporosis, the osteoclasts cells remove bone faster than the good cells osteoblasts which form new bone. This results in more bone loss since there is no equalization between the osteoclasts and the osteoblasts.

When bone density decreases, there is a marked loss in the strength of the bones which now become fragile. As bones become fragile, there is a greater risk of fractures as well as loss of balance, resulting in falls and other injuries. Bones become more fragile as we age, especially after age 50, requiring regular BMD testing. The relevant measure of BMD is referred to in terms of T-score. T- Score is your BMD measurement compared to the reference mean of a young normal adult. A normal T-score is -1.0 or higher; however, in osteopenia, it is defined to be between -1.0 and -2.5 and in osteoporosis it is defined to be -2.5.

Osteoarthritis (OA) - also known as osteoarthrosis, degenerative arthritis, or degenerative joint disease:

- can affect not only the joints but also their surrounding tissues [including the capsule (the cover of the joint), ligaments, lining, and muscles];

- can be painful;

- is a degenerative disease;

- is a disease caused by loss of cartilage in the joints;

- is a normal result of aging which often affects the feet, fingers, hips, knees, or spine;

- is a progressive disease;

- is due to wearing away of a joint;

- is not a single disease but the result of several disorders causing the failure of the functioning of joints;

- is the most common of the joint disorders;

- may not always be able to prevent it or cure it but you can take control in order to prevent its development or progression;

- progresses with destruction (obliteration) of the joint space.

Several conditions and factors that may be caused by or can increase the risk of Osteoporosis (and osteopenia) as well as osteoarthritis include:

- Asian or Caucasian race;

- bone cancer;

- calcium deficiency;

- chemotherapy;

- eating disorders (for example, anorexia nervosa, bulimia);

- excessive alcohol consumption;

- heredity;

- injury to a joint (for example, macrotrauma);

- lack of certain hormones (estrogen in women & androgen in men);

- lack of exercise (including weight-bearing exercises) or inactive lifestyle;

- liver disease;

- medications (for example, certain blood thinners, anti-seizure, long-term use of certain medications);

- obesity;

- overuse of a joint;

- overuse of corticosteroids;

- poor nutrition;

- radiation therapy;

- rheumatoid arthritis;

- smoking;

- thyroid problems;

- vitamin D deficiency;

- women (have a higher risk since women start off with lower bone density than men and lose bone mass quicker as they age).

The following are a few of the things that can be done to either prevent or reduce the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis:

- avoid repetitive stress on the joints whether at home or at work (one example would be to use an ergonomic keyboard);

- adjust your work area in order to avoid stress on your joints;

- avoid overuse of joints (especially painful joints);

- avoid smoking;

- eat a balanced diet;

- eat an all-around healthy diet (for example, eat nuts, fish, and food rich in calcium);

- exercise in water such as swimming;

- exercise to strengthen your bones - including weight bearing exercises;

- get sufficient rest;

- get sufficient sleep;

- maintain a healthy body weight;

- take precautions not to fall such as making sure your home is safe in all areas, having your eyes checked regularly, using walking aids if necessary, wearing safe shoes that offer support;

- take supplements if necessary to ensure that you have sufficient minerals and vitamins in your system for strong bones.

Although it is not always possible to prevent bone health problems, it is always important to try to reduce the risks or to take any preventative measures.