The National Osteoporosis Foundation describes Osteoporosis as a disease of the bones. It is brought about by a loss in bone density and strength or the body’s inability to produce enough bones. As a result, the bones may weaken or become thin increasing the risk of bone fractures. This change in bone structure could cause Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects people of all ages worldwide. However, women, at menopause, and the old are more prevalent to the disease.
What are the risk factors of Osteoporosis?
There are several factors which may make an individual lose his or her bone density. These can either be lifestyle factors or silent factors.
Lifestyle activities include:
- Cigarette smoking
- Drug abuse
- Poor health
- Excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol
- Passive lifestyle
Silent factors are uncontrollable and can only be diagnosed by a specialist. They include:
- Genetic make-up
- Hormonal levels
- Medical conditions
- Gender
- Small frame among others
How is Osteoporosis diagnosed?
CT scan, X-ray, Ultrasound, and bone mineral density are the methods used to diagnose
Osteoporosis. Of the four ways, bone mineral density (BDM) is the quickest and widely adopted approach.
Prevention of Osteoporosis
For a disease like Osteoporosis, prevention and rehabilitation are better than cure. As part of the prevention and rehabilitation treatment against Osteoporosis, our trained physical therapist at Oklahoma Physical Therapy offer primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention against Osteoporosis.
Whether it is weight-bearing exercise like dancing or jogging to resistance exercises like squatting and weightlifting. We at Oklahoma Physical Therapy will create treatment plans which are customized per patient with the goal of improving the health of the bones.
We also work with each patient in educating the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle, proper exercise, and overall body health on bones and prevention of bone disease.
With such interventions, you need not experience your first fracture to the hip, spine, or ankle. Visit Oklahoma Physical Therapy and let our trained physical therapists diagnose your risk factors and create a customized treatment plan for you.