Health Tips » Fracture

The Skeletal System – what is it and why is it important for health ? Part 6

ashish — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:31:33 +0000

The skeletal system acts as a framework for the body and it protects the internal organs. There are some problems associated with the skeletal system, some of which needs immediate action and some needs care and precautions.

- Fractured Vertebra
If a person is experiencing sudden pain following an injury to the back, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness, tingling or difficulty in moving limbs then these can be the symptoms of a fractured vertebrae which is diagnosed by an x-ray. Seek medical attention immediately.

- Fracture
If a person is experiencing severe pain with heavy swelling, difficulty in movement, black and blue discoloration or mishapen limbs then these can be the symptoms of a fracture and an x-ray should be done immediately. Seek medical attention immediately.

- Infected molar
If a person is experiencing an ear pain then it can be the symptom of an infected molar so you need to check it out with the dentist.

- Gout
If a person is experiencing a big toes which is twice its size and angry red and painful then it can be the symptom of gout where the uric acid is deposited in the joints of the body. A blood test and medication should be taken.

- Slipped disc
If a person is experiencing a bad back problem to an extent that it is killing you then it can be the symptom of a slipped disc which can be confirmed by an x-ray.

- Sciatica
If a person is experiencing a radiating pain along leg or foot, pins and needles and it gets worse if you are sitting for long hours, walking, running, stairs climbing or straightening the leg then these could be the symptoms of sciatica which is diagnosed by a X-ray and MRI. It often improves by physiotherapy and painkillers and by keeping a check on your sitting, sleeping and working patterns. Surgery is the last step.

- Tumor
If a person is experiencing a swelling in bone then it can be the symptom of a tumor and one should get the x-ray done.

- Spondylitis
If a person is experiencing a hurt neck then it can be the symptom for spondylitis that is the inflammation of one or more vertebrae or spondylosis which is the stiffening of a joint in the spine and it can be diagnosed by x-ray or MRI and treated by physiotherapy.

- Osteoporosis
If a person is experiencing that his or her bones break very easily even if it is a small injury then it can be the symptom of osteoporosis and you should have a bone scan done.

- Stress fracture or Muscle strain
If a person is experiencing a nagging pain which worsens over a week and it gets even worse when you exercise then it could be the symptom of a stress fracture or a muscle strain and you should get an x-ray done.

- Infection or fracture
If a person is experiencing too much pain in the joint which is combined by fever or rash then it could be the symptom of an infection or fracture and you should get an x-ray done.

PAIN – Deep in bones and joints consequence of stress, strain, lack of exercise.

ashish — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:07:58 +0000

Cervical spine is the most flexible part of human body. The pain in cervical spine is the consequence of lifelong strain, incorrect posture and stress, lack of exercise and excess weight. The spinal nerves emerging from spinal chord that are responsible for arms, head and torso are very close to neural network of nervous system and the arteries that supply the brain. Sudden movements, muscle stiffness, pressure of inter-vertebral discs can lead to compression. This leads to painful cervical vertebral syndrome, which can result in paralysis.

CERVICO-BRACHIAL SYNDROME

Pinched spinal nerve roots are the cause. The pain radiates from the neck across the shoulder and into the hands. The cause is often a shrinking of the inter-vertebral disc, leading to a decline in its buffer function. The dorsal vertebrae are then subjected to a greater amount of strain, and react with osseous neo-formations. The result is bead like or spur shaped marginal spikes which stiffs the neck and press against spinal nerves and the spinal chord. An effective measure is stress reduction and muscle training. This condition is called cervico-brachial syndrome.

LOCAL CERVICAL SYNDROME

The constant bending of head cramps the trapezius muscles that connect the back of the head, vertebrae, collar bones and shoulder blades. The increased muscle tone triggers pain that radiates all the way down to the arms, legs and sternum. If the vertebral arteries or spinal canal are constricted, it can lead to migraine like attacks with headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, impaired vision and swallowing disorders.

THE LUMBAR SPINE

The lumbar vertebrae are located at the lower end of our central axis. It begins with the protrusion of the inter-vertebral disc, which results from the stress on the lower spine. Then, the gelatinous nucleus of the disc pushes against the surrounding fibrous ring. Tiny tears appear and at some point the ring breaks and the gelatinous mass flows out and presses against the nerves or the disc material can spill out. In such situation, developing and strengthening the back muscles is recommended.

THE HIP JOINT OR OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis or bone loss weakens the entire skeleton among older people but primarily affects the spine and pelvic region. This bone loss does not lead to any symptoms for a long time and is only noticed when some accident or situations related to that occur. Bone degeneration can be especially intensive in women in the first five years after menopause. In such situations, sports and a good amount of exercise to prevent painful curvatures or femoral neck fractures is recommended.

THE KNEE JOINT OR ARTHROSIS

Arhrosis is the deterioration of joints and occurs most often in the knee. Its exposure to extreme lifelong strain causes the cartilaginous buffer to become increasingly thinner, non-elastic and stiff. The surrounding tissue can also later become inflamed, leading to a rough deformation of the contact areas and reduced lubrication at the cartilage. Eventually, there is a risk of the joint becoming stiff. Being overweight is considered a high risk factor which is why doctors recommend weight loss.

How can healthy lifestyle changes affect Osteoporosis?

ashish — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:34:11 +0000

What is Osteoporosis ?
Osteoporosis is a disease caused by weak and porous bones that fracture easily. It happens mainly after menopause in women and particularly those who are small boned or underweight. Bone mass is dependent on the stress, or weight, placed on bones. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks.The more you use your bones to walk, run, lift weights, the heavier and stronger your bones will be.

Healthy Lifestyle
The best way to keep your bones healthy is to establish a healthy lifestyle. One should stop smoking, avoid drinking too much alcohol, get enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet or with supplements, do weight-bearing exercises to help keep bones strong, avoid high doses of thyroid hormone or cortisone-like medications.

- Exercise is very important for slowing the progression of osteoporosis. Exercising for more than three days a week for more than a total of 90 minutes a week reduces the risk for osteoporosis and fracture in both older men and women.
Careful weight training exercise applies tension to muscle and bone.
Regular brisk long walks improve bone density and mobility and may relieve osteoarthritic pain.
Exercises specifically targeted to strengthen the back help prevent fractures later on in life.
Abdominal exercises, lower back exercises, yoga, Pilates, and tai chi help strengthen the spine.

- A combination of calcium and vitamin D can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Good dietary sources of calcium include milk, yogurt, and other dairy products, dark green vegetables such as collard greens, kale, and broccoli, sardines and salmon with bones, calcium-fortified foods and beverages such as cereals, orange juice, soymilk.
Dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna, egg yolks, liver, vitamin D-fortified milk, orange juice, soymilk, or cereals. Sunlight on your skin activates the production of vitamin D in your body.

- Smoking and excessive use of alcohol reduce calcium absorption which can lead to bone loss. This is especially true for women who smoke, as smoking lowers estrogen levels.
Giving up these two unhealthy habits is a simple lifestyle change that can lower the chance of getting osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis: Beat Osteoporosis with the right diet.

ashish — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:58:39 +0000

Osteoporosis (‘porous bones’) is a disease causing bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks or fractures. Any bones can be affected, but fractures occur typically in the hip and spine (these are of special concern), and the wrist.

Calcium is one of the key nutrients that your body needs in order to stay strong and healthy. It is an essential building block for lifelong bone health in both men and women, among many other important functions. The amount of calcium you need depends on a number of different factors, including your age.
Your body gets the calcium it needs in one of two ways. The first and best way is through the foods you eat or the supplements you take. However, if you’re not consuming enough calcium, your body will get it in a different way, pulling it from your bones where it’s stored.

Food sources of calcium

- Dairy : Sources include milk, yogurt, and cheese.
- Vegetables and greens: Try turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce, celery, broccoli, fennel, cabbage, summer squash, green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and crimini mushrooms.
- Beans: Try black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, white beans, black-eyed peas, or baked beans.
- Herbs and spices: Flavor your food with basil, thyme, dill weed, cinnamon, peppermint leaves, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and parsley.
- Other foods: More good sources of calcium include salmon, tofu, oranges, almonds, sesame seeds, blackstrap molasses, and sea vegetables.

Calcium and milk

Many nutritionists believe that consuming milk and dairy products will help prevent osteoporosis. On the other hand, some believe that eating a lot of dairy will do little to prevent bone loss and fractures and may actually contribute to other health problems.
If you choose to consume dairy, then it’s best to opt for 1% or nonfat milk and other low-fat dairy products, which are lower in saturated fat and natural hormones. Choosing organic products when possible will also decrease your exposure to synthetic hormones and other additives. And if you decide that dairy is not the best choice for you, or you can’t tolerate milk products, there are other ways to include calcium in your diet.

Danger Foods

- Acid Forming Foods.
- Excess Protein food.
- The Coffee Effect : Drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day increases your risk of developing osteoporosis by 82%.
- Carbonated Drinks : Fizzy drinks are high in phosphorous, an essential mineral which when taken in excess can cause bone loss.
- Eat less salt to prevent osteoporosis.

What are the different methods available for the treatment of osteoporosis?

ashish — Tue, 18 May 2010 14:38:51 +0000

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and, therefore, are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks (fractures).

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Oestrogen seems to protect bone strength. The drop in oestrogen that occurs following menopause is mirrored by an increased loss of bone for a few years thereafter. The loss continues, but less steeply, in older women. Hormone replacement therapy replaces oestrogen and so reduces the rate of bone loss. HRT is thought to be of most benefit for preventing osteoporosis if it is started early in menopause and is taken for at least five years. Briefly, HRT is known to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer), blood clots in the veins (thrombosis), stroke and heart disease.
HRT remains an option for women over 50 at risk of fractures for whom these other medicines are not suitable. HRT is also still a suitable option for women who have had an early menopause.

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are medications that slow the breakdown and removal of bone (ie, resorption). They are widely used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The most common side effects associated with bisphosphonates are digestive in nature, for example indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain.

Kyphoplasty

It is also known as balloon kyphoplasty is a newer procedure. It involves placing a catheter with a balloon into a compressed vertebral body and slowly inflating the balloon to reduce the fracture. A special surgical cement is then injected into the space created by the balloon. The procedure stabilizes the fracture and restores vertebral body height.

Vertebroplasty

It is similar to Kyphoplasty, except a balloon is not used in this procedure.

Strontium ranelate

Strontium ranelate (Protelos) is used for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is usually reserved for women who cannot take bisphosphonates.

Raloxifene

Raloxifene (Evista) is a type of medicine called a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It can be used to both prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

How can we prevent and diagnose Osteoporosis

ashish — Mon, 17 May 2010 15:02:03 +0000

To reach optimal peak bone mass and continue building new bone tissue as you age, you should consider several factors.
- Calcium: An inadequate supply of calcium over a lifetime contributes to the development of osteoporosis. Food sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream; dark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, bok choy, and spinach; sardines and salmon with bones; tofu; almonds; and foods fortified with calcium, such as orange juice, cereals, and breads.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone health. It is synthesized in the skin through exposure to sunlight. Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver.
- Smoking: Women who smoke have lower levels of estrogen compared with nonsmokers, and they often go through menopause earlier. Smokers also may absorb less calcium from their diets.
- Exercise: Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. Weight-bearing exercise is the best for your bones because it forces you to work against gravity.
- Alcohol: Regular consumption of 2 to 3 ounces a day of alcohol may be damaging to the skeleton, even in young women and men.
- Medications that cause bone loss: The long-term use of glucocorticoids (medications prescribed for a wide range of diseases, including arthritis, asthma, Crohn’s disease, lupus, and other diseases of the lungs, kidneys, and liver) can lead to a loss of bone density and fracture.

Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

Women who have had a fracture due to fragility are diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and have a high risk for another fracture. Early diagnosis can prevent fractures and slow deterioration of bone tissue.
If the doctor suspects osteoporosis, a bone scan would be suggested. – A common test that measures bone density is called a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This test measures the density of the bones in your hips, spine and wrist, which are all places likely to be affected by osteoporosis.
- Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measures bone density in the hip and spine and produces a three-dimensional image that shows true volume density. QCT has the capacity to isolate an area for testing. The radiation level in QCT is 10 times higher than in DEXA.
- Peripheral bone density testing uses ultrasound to identify bone loss in a localized area such as the heel or hand.
Doctor may also order an ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan to help check the density of your bones.

What is osteoporosis and what are the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis ?

ashish — Sun, 16 May 2010 08:52:20 +0000

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that may lead to weak and fragile bones. Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone micro architecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered.
Osteoporosis is most common in women after menopause, when it is called postmenopausal osteoporosis, but may also develop in men.

Causes of Osteoporosis

- Osteoporosis occurs when there is an imbalance between new bone formation and old bone resorption.
- The body may fail to form enough new bone, or too much old bone may be reabsorbed, or both.
- The leading cause of osteoporosis is a lack of certain hormones, particularly estrogen in women and androgen in men.
- Other factors that may contribute to bone loss in this age group include inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, lack of weight-bearing exercise, and other age-related changes in endocrine functions.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be present without any symptoms for decades because osteoporosis doesn’t cause symptoms until bone fractures. he symptom associated with osteoporotic fractures usually is pain; the location of the pain depends on the location of the fracture.

Risk factors of Osteoporosis

- Getting older.
- Being small and thin.
- Having a family history of osteoporosis.
- Taking certain medicines.
- Being a white or Asian woman.
- Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass.
- Cigarette smoking, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, low amounts of calcium in the diet, heavy alcohol consumption, inactive lifestyle, and use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants, are also risk factors.
- Rheumatoid arthritis itself is a risk factor for osteoporosis.

Facts and Figures

- Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for 44 million Americans, 68 percent of whom are women.
- One out of every two women and one in four men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
- Osteoporosis can strike at any age.
- Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including approximately 300,000 hip fractures, 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 wrist fractures, and more than 300,000 fractures at other sites.