The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation has declared the month of May as Osteoporosis Awareness Month to enlighten people about its causes, symptoms and prevention. Your bones are made of a living tissue which constantly remodels itself throughout your life span. People generally achieve peak bone mass in their mid-twenties, and after that, the bone density gradually starts decreasing.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which your bones become brittle due to the loss of bone tissue. If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, the rate at which your new bone tissue is created is less than the rate of old tissue removal. This makes your bones more fragile and prone to fractures. There are numerous factors that lead to the decrease in bone density in the latter stages of your life. These include lack of calcium, menopause etc. Even people who smoke or drink regularly and individuals with a small frame are prone to this medical condition. In some cases, osteoporosis runs in the family, so you cannot avoid it completely if it is hereditary.

Osteoporosis is usually caused due to the lack of calcium which diminishes bone density and leads to an early bone loss. Bad eating habits also contribute to the development of osteoporosis in many cases. Some of the main symptoms of this condition include fractures due to mild impact, receding gums, stooped posture, loss of height and lower back pain. If you are facing any of these symptoms, your doctor will most likely recommend a bone density scan to check the health of your bones.

While it is true that osteoporosis cannot be cured fully, there are certain methods and precautions which, if followed, will allow you to live a normal life. The first thing that a person diagnosed with osteoporosis should do is to reduce the chances of falling to avoid fractures. If your everyday routine involves doing strenuous exercise or playing outdoor sports, you should limit yourself in that area. In case you do fall, get an X-Ray done on the affected area to check for any damage.

Most common fractures happen to your ankles or wrists in case you fall. However, hip fractures are the worst if you have osteoporosis. According to a study, 50% of people who suffer from hip fractures need life-long support while walking or doing other everyday routine work. Hip fractures take time to heal and often involve a complicated surgery, so it is best to be vigilant in order to avoid this fracture.

People who smoke or drink on a regular basis should immediately put a stop to such habits as it degrades the bone density in your body. Moreover, smoking also results in a slower recovery rate from a bone injury, so it is in your best interests to avoid it.

It is possible to minimize the damage done by osteoporosis by maintaining a healthy diet and physical routine throughout your life. Regular weight-bearing exercises like walking, dancing or zumba are a great way to strengthen your bones and muscles in order to prevent osteoporosis. Muscle-strengthening exercises also help to make your bones strong and less prone to fractures and other medical conditions. Moreover, regular physical exercise keeps your overall health in good condition as well. Besides regular exercise, following a healthy and nutritious diet is a must to alleviate the symptoms of osteoporosis. Make sure you add fruits and veggies to your diet that are rich in calcium or Vitamin D. These minerals strengthen your bones by maintaining their density at an optimal level.

Doctors around the world do recommend certain supplements to minimize the effect of osteoporosis by judging the condition and medical history of a person. However, a proper cure for osteoporosis does not exist and there are still many studies going on to find a way to tackle this medical condition. A recent ongoing study is looking for ideal exercises that can build bone mass and help maintain it throughout your lifespan.

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the way you live your life. However, with proper care and precautions, it is possible for you to bring your life back to normalcy in spite of having this condition. Just make sure to keep a positive attitude and you won’t even notice that osteoporosis exists in your life.