What is Osteoporosis

A disease which causes broken bones, Osteoporosis is common among the senior citizens. It is a disorder that takes place within a body when there is loss of bone, lowering production of bones, or both. This leads to weakened bones and in some cases, minor bumps. Bone density reduces after the age of 35, leading to fragile or weak bones.

The most affected parts of the body are the bones of the forearm, the hip, and the vertebrae in the spine. In worse conditions, bones may lose strength to such an extent that it might break with even with little stress.

A few of the reasons that may cause osteoporosis are greater-than-normal bone loss and lower-than-normal maximum bone mass. In women’s cases, the loss of bone occurs after menopause, which is caused by a decrease in estrogen. The other common reasons behind osteoporosis may be anorexia, kidney disease, alcoholism, and hyperthyroidism. There are a few medications like chemotherapy, anti-seizure, and proton pump.

What is Osteoporosis

A disease which causes broken bones, Osteoporosis is common among the senior citizens. It is a disorder that takes place within a body when there is loss of bone, lowering production of bones, or both. This leads to weakened bones and in some cases, minor bumps. Bone density reduces after the age of 35, leading to fragile or weak bones.

The most affected parts of the body are the bones of the forearm, the hip, and the vertebrae in the spine. In worse conditions, bones may lose strength to such an extent that it might break with even with little stress.

A few of the reasons that may cause osteoporosis are greater-than-normal bone loss and lower-than-normal maximum bone mass. In women’s cases, the loss of bone occurs after menopause, which is caused by a decrease in estrogen. The other common reasons behind osteoporosis may be anorexia, kidney disease, alcoholism, and hyperthyroidism. There are a few medications like chemotherapy, anti-seizure, and proton pump.

Osteoporosis symptoms

Osteoporosis disease has no symptoms. The disease develops during the early stages of bone loss. However, as soon as bones get weakened by osteoporosis, there may be a few signs and symptoms that occur. Back pain, a bent-over posture, loss of height, and easily occurring bone fracture.

Osteoporosis diagnosis

Firstly, a patient should get a recommendation from their doctor. Ask them what’s the best course of action. The doctor will consider the patient and their family’s health history. If osteoporosis is the case, they will suggest a scan that measures bone mineral density (BMD).

BMD scanning involves a type of x-ray technology which is called DEXA i.e. dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone densitometry.

The DEXA scan can show the chances of fractures happening due to osteoporosis. There are two types of DEXA scan. One which measures spine and hip's bone mineral density. The other one where a mobile device tests bones in the heel, finger, and wrist.

Osteoporosis Treatment and Cost in India

If a person is detected with osteoporosis disease, then the doctor will start a treatment which involves medication and reduces the risk of bone damage and increases its chance of improvement. Medicines like Alendronate and Risedronate can improve the content of calcium in the body.

However, the body also requires nutrients and vitamins that can strengthen the bones. Calcium and Vitamin D supplements may be an excellent source to find them. In case of severe osteoporosis, calcitonin and Teriparatide are also recommended by doctors.

Other things doctors might recommend to reduce or prevent osteoporosis are eating foods that are high in calcium, physical exercise, and weight loss. The doctors would highly recommend the patient follow a healthy diet, which would be beneficial for the treatment.

Foods that help prevent osteoporosis are Brocolli, Cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, Beetroot, Okra, Methi, Pulses, eggs, sardines, salmon, tuna, and other calcium and mineral-rich substances.

Health Insurance

Curing an ailment is not cheap, especially when it is something like osteoporosis which may occur in the latter stage and may not be eradicated completely. In the younger days, dealing with issues related to the bone might be easy and may even ignore it. But the signs right now can take a heavy toll in the future.

The disease can impact mental health, physical health, savings, and earnings. While there are doctors who can be of help to cure the disease physically, let health insurance be something that takes care of the spends.

Health insurance is one type of insurance which covers the patient’s surgical and medical expenses, which is also one of the most important reasons for buying health insurance.

Benefits of buying a health insurance package are:

The insured person gets cashless treatment at the hospitals that are linked to the insurance company.
Many insurance policies also cover pre and post hospitalization cost.
Some insurance companies also provide health checkup options.

To sum it up, buying a health insurance policy is the best way to stay secure.

Other diseases

Today’s hectic and stressful lives have also become a host to diseases that take a heavy toll on bodies. It is becoming harder and harder to stay away from them because of improper work-life balance.

Some of those diseases are: