Osteoporosis: Its Causes, Signs & Symptoms, and Homeopathic Treatment Of Osteoporosis

Introduction

Osteoporosis is a global problem, growing worldwide. Osteoporosis is the main cause of painful, debilitating, and fragile fractures. Every three women and one in five men over the age of 50 are prone to get fractures of bones due to osteoporosis.

Every year on October 20, we celebrate ‘World Osteoporosis Day’ to raise global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?

In simple words, the word osteoporosis means spongy (porous) bone. Osteoporosis is a systemic bony disorder, which includes low bone mass, micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility, and increases the risk of fracture. 

In elder people, it is the most common reason for the fracture of a bone.

When bone mass becomes low or bone loss becomes high, it leads to osteoporosis. Due to lower levels of estrogen, bone loss increases after menopause. Several diseases or treatments may also cause osteoporosis.

History of Osteoporosis

In Greek, Osteo means – “bone” and poros means – “pore”. So, in simple words, the meaning of Osteoporosis is "porous bones”.

French pathologist, Jean Lobstein has given the term "osteoporosis" and recognition of its pathological appearance. The link between osteoporosis and postmenopausal state is attributed to American endocrinologist, Fuller Albright.

Prevalence of osteoporosis in India

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoporosis is second to cardiovascular disease as a global health problem as it is silent and insidious. As per the statistics from WHO, one out of eight men and one out of three women in India are affected by osteoporosis.

Most Indians’ bone health is at risk. Old people and women after menopause are mainly affected by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is immediately referred to as a “SILENT DISEASE” because a fragility fracture that causes hospitalization along with increased morbidity and mortality is often the earliest evidence.

Symptoms

In the initial condition, Osteoporosis does not show any symptoms. The main consequence of osteoporosis is the increased risk of fractures of the bone. Once the bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, one might have the following signs and symptoms:

• Back pain may be caused by a collapsed or fractured vertebra
• Loss of height over time
• A stooped posture
• Easy breaking or fracture of bone than expected

Causes of Osteoporosis

The main process in all cases of osteoporosis is an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Our bones are the living, active tissue that’s constantly renewing itself. There is the formation of new bone and old bone is broken down. Tissues of old bone are broken down by cells through a process called ‘osteoclasts’ and then replaced by new tissues of bone material produced by a process called ‘osteoblasts’.

When people are young, their body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, and the bone mass increases. After the age of 20s, the process of making new bones become slow, and by the age of 30, most people reach their peak bone mass. As age increases, bone mass is lost faster than it's created.

After the age of about 40, the process of breakdown of bone cells increases in comparison to the formation of new cells, so our bones slowly begin to lose their density.

Risk factors

Several factors can increase the chances of developing osteoporosis:

• Age - Older the person, the greater the risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Sex - Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men.
• Race - White or Asian are more prone.
• Family history - Parent or sibling having osteoporosis puts you at greater risk.
• Body frame - Men and women with small body frames tend to have a higher risk because they might have less bone mass to draw from as they age.
• Hormones - Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too little of certain hormones in their bodies. Examples: 

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• A. Estrogen hormone - Reduction of estrogen levels in women at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors for developing osteoporosis.                                                       
• B. Testosterone hormone - Reduction in testosterone levels in men as they age, accelerates bone loss and thus develops osteoporosis in men.                                              
• C. Thyroid hormone - Too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss. This can occur due to an overactive thyroid gland or an excess of thyroid hormone medication.
• Glands - Overactive parathyroid and adrenal glands might lead to osteoporosis.
• Low calcium intake - Low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss, and an increased risk of fractures.
• Some Medications - Long-term use of some medications like Steroids or corticosteroids can interfere with the bone-rebuilding process.
• Medical conditions – People with certain medical problems including, cardiac diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver diseases, cancer, lupus, Multiple myeloma, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. are at high risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Sedentary lifestyle - People with sitting jobs and a sedentary lifestyle have a higher risk of osteoporosis.
• Alcohol – Excessive consumption of alcohol increases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Smoking & Tobacco – Smoking and the use of tobacco in any form contributes to weak bones and can cause osteoporosis.

Complications

Fractures of bone particularly of the hip or spine, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.

Regular back pain lost height and a hunched forward posture can also be complications of osteoporosis.

Prevention

By taking a balanced diet, and change in lifestyle, we can prevent osteoporosis.

• Good nutrition - A diet rich in calcium and protein can increase the strength of bones.
• Exercise - Regular exercise is essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life. It can slow down the loss of bone and helps to build strong bones.
• Vitamin D - Vitamin D improves the body's ability to absorb calcium and improves bone health. People can get vitamin D from sunlight. But if exposure to the sun is limited, one may need vitamin D supplements. To maintain bone health in adults of ages 51 to 70, 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D are required, and 800 IU a day after the age of  70. 

Good sources of calcium include:

• All dairy products which are low in fat, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Canned salmon or sardines with bones
• Soy products, such as tofu
• Some nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
• Calcium-fortified and orange cereals juice

If it is difficult to get enough calcium from the diet, then a person may need a calcium supplement. However, taking too many calcium supplements can cause kidney stones.

Diet and the skin is the main source of Vitamin D. Production of Vitamin D by the skin is dependent on the exposure of the skin to sunlight. Vitamin D is important in several respects:

• Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium from the intestines, which comes from diet.
• Lack of vitamin D can cause ‘osteomalacia’, which further weakens the bones and increases the risk of fractures.

• Some studies show that along with adequate calcium (1,200 mg of elemental calcium), Vitamin D helps to increase bone density. It further decreases the fractures in postmenopausal women.

Diagnosis

• Blood Tests – By doing a blood test, one can check the calcium and vitamin D levels in the body. A low level of both or any of the two can determine the risk of developing Osteoporosis.
• X-ray – By observing the thinner and lighter bones in a routine X-ray, osteoporosis can be determined. But they are not accurate indicators of bone density.
• Bone Density Scan – It uses a type of X-ray known as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Bone density scanning measures bone mineral density, which helps a doctor decide whether a person is at increased risk of an osteoporosis-related fracture.

It gives the results of the test as a DEXA T score or a Z score. The World Health Organization has established the following diagnostic guidelines:

Category                            T-Score range           Percentage in young women

Normal                                   ≥ −1.0                                           85%

Osteopenia                           -1.1 to -2.4                                     14%

Osteoporosis                         ≤ −2.5                                          0.6%

Severe osteoporosis            T-score ≤ −2.5 with fragility fracture         

The Z score compares the bone mass with that of other people of a similar build and age. For premenopausal women, Z-scores (comparison with age group rather than peak bone mass) rather than T-scores should be used.

Homeopathic Medicines for Osteoporosis

Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies and are very proficient in treating weak bones and osteoporosis. These remedies help in balancing bone formation and resorption in a bid to prevent further bone loss. Treatment of Osteoporosis by homeopathy is completely safe and effective. It also helps in boosting the immune system and stops further damage to bones. One can buy homeopathic medicines online, also.

Following are some wonderful homeopathic medicines for the treatment of Osteoporosis:

• Calcarea carbonica: This remedy is best suited to the person who is easily tired by exertion and tends to feel anxious and overwhelmed by work or stress. The person may be fat, flabby, and feel worse from cold and dampness. This remedy is indicated in back pain, swollen joints, with a sweaty head at night. 
• Calcarea flour: It is a useful homeopathic remedy for Osteoporosis and helps in promoting calcium absorption in the body. Cracking and easy dislocations of joints. Enlargements of bone with or without caries, particularly of traumatic origin. It has an action on long bones.
• Calcarea phosphorica: Calcarea phosphorica is a very effective homeopathic remedy for Osteoporosis, where there is stiffness, soreness, and weakness of the bones and joints with excess curvature of the spine. The patient has weakness and brittleness of bones. Deposition of unwanted calcium may develop which leads to the formation of bony spurs. It stops the general bone loss and heals the fractures which are slow to heal.
• Phosphorus:  This remedy is indicated to the person who is having weak bones and burning pain between the shoulder blades. A desire for refreshing foods, such as ice cream, and a strong thirst for cold or carbonated drinks are other indications of Phosphorus.
• Silicea: Especially suited to people who are often nervous, easily tired, very chilly, and tend to sweat at night.  They have a fragile appearance and weak spines. Injuries and fractures take a long time to heal.
• Symphytum: Great remedy for healing or reunion of fractured bones. Symphytum gives strength to the bones and takes care of the pain in old fractures that have healed.

Apart from these, there are many other homeopathic medicines that can be given on the basis of symptoms and constitution of the Patient. 

About the Author: Dr. Rahul Singh

Dr. Rahul Singh is a registered Homeopath and Certified Nutritionist with over 16 years of experience and recipient of multiple awards, helps busy people in this fast life, re-energize with tips on a healthy diet, yoga, beauty, health, and wellness strategies that have an impact on their life.