General Nursing©

OSTEOPOROSIS

Three major factors include:

• Calcium deficiency.
• Lack of regular exercise.
• Sex differences.

Prevention

Exercise (and estrogen supplementation in some women) is required for strong bones. Both work independently. Exercise must be weight bearing so that it stresses the bones and gives a signal to the body to lay down more calcium and strengthens the bones.

Walking, jogging, and even standing provide such stress. Strengthen the ones of the spine is particularly important because this is the site of over half of the osteoporosis fractures.

Calcium is an important as exercise, but in a secondary sense. Without exercise, the body does not use calcium; so no matter how much calcium you take in, you don't get an effect. You need the signal from your bones to the metabolic systems of your body that more calcium is needed; then the calcium is absorbed by the small intestine, transported to the appropriate part of the body, and laid down as new strong bone.

Your last two years of exercise are most important, within two years; people who stop exercising lose the benefits. On the other hand, sufficient exercise can maintain bone strength at the normal levels of younger life for an indefinite period.

Good health practices, adequate exercise, sufficient calcium intake, and stopping smoking and alcohol use are probably the best ways to prevent osteoporosis.

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