No matter how lifeless bones seem to be, they also contain living tissues similar to the ones present in our muscles. They get stronger or weaker, responding to our actions. Regular exercise combined with a healthy and balanced diet help make bones stronger and tougher. They also store the minerals required by our body. The mechanism of the body is to break down old bone so that it can be replaced by new bone, a process known as resorption. If the body breaks down the bone faster than it is making it, the body faces a loss in its overall bone structure. Bone loss can cause the density of bone to decrease, weakening it by making it more fragile and prone to fractures and breaks.
There are numerous diseases that can cause bone loss, with the most well-known being osteoporosis. This disease decreases the overall strength and integrity of the bone by creating pores or holes inside the bone. However, the most troublesome of all bone loss diseases is Rheumatoid Arthritis. This causes the bone in the joints as well as the muscles around the joints to irritate and swell. Arthritis can lead to weakness, pain in the muscles, fatigue and severe stiffness. The disease causes the body to mistake a few parts of the bones as harmful bacteria and attack them. This causes the bones to thin out and eventually lessen.
Treatment for bone loss is quite simple. The key is to prevent bone loss by implementing a diet which is rich in calcium. This involves eating plenty of milk-based products such as cheese and yoghurt, fish and vegetables. The calcium helps grow new bones fast and also makes the overall bone structure considerably stronger. Doctors also suggest Vitamin D. It helps the body absorb the calcium they get from the food that they eat. One of the main reasons for bone loss and weakness of bones is lack of calcium. If the body does not get enough calcium from food, it obtains it by breaking down bone.
Other methods of treatment include regular exercise. Children who have been known to have regular physical activity are less prone to suffer from bone loss in the future, and they also attain the maximum bone density. Patients should follow a strict workout routine to help rebuild bone and increase the bone density. They can try lifting weights and also try performing any resistance training for at least three days a week. This form of exercise involves utilizing the muscles of the body to increase the overall strength and mass of the muscles and the bones. Exercise helps the body by retaining the calcium and also vitalizing bone growth.
Aside from treatment, patients are also advised to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking is particularly harmful to individuals as it quickens the rate at which the body breaks down old bone and prevents the body from making new bone, aside from affecting the heart and lungs. Smoking is also known to harm women by reducing the production of estrogen, which also prevents bone growth.
Regular intake of alcohol can even damage the bones of young people. Alcohol obstructs the Vitamin D in the body and keeps it from becoming completely absorbed. This means that the body absorbs less calcium than required. Bone loss and fractures are more probable in heavy drinkers as they do not have good nutrition. They also have an increased risk of falling. However, some evidence exists that a sensible amount of alcohol consumed regularly can have certain favorable effects toward increasing bone mass and density.
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