Osteoporosis & homeopathy

Osteoporosis & homeopathy

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All About Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?

• Osteoporosis, or “porous bones”, is a condition that causes bones to gradually thin and weaken, resulting in increase risk of fractures.
• Common bone sites include the spine, hip, and wrist.
• Bone begins to lose calcium faster than they can replace it.
• Less bone remodeling takes place and the bones begin to thin

Vitamin D

• The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium.
• Without enough vitamin D, one can’t form enough of the hormone calcitriol (known as the “active vitamin D”).This in turn leads to insufficient calcium absorption from the diet.
• In this situation, the body must take calcium from its stores in the skeleton, which weakens existing bone and prevents the formation of strong, new bone.

Calcium

• Calcium is needed for our heart, muscles, and nerves to function properly and for blood to clot.
• Inadequate calcium significantly contributes to the development of osteoporosis.
• Many published studies show that low calcium intake throughout life is associated with low bone mass and high fracture rates.
• National nutrition surveys have shown that most people are not getting the calcium they need to grow and maintain healthy bones.

Diagnostic Testing

• Painless and accurate medical tests can provide you with information about your bone health before problems begin. Bone mineral density tests (BMD tests), also known as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, are X-rays that use very small amounts of radiation to determine the bone density most often of the spine, hip, wrist.
• These tests help detect the presence of osteoporosis, determine how quickly you are losing bone mass and predict your risk of fracture. They also are used to follow the course of the disease and monitor the effects of various treatments.
• Your physician can order these tests.

Prevent/Delay Osteoporosis

• Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D
  • Supplementation should be prescribed- ask your doctor about increase recommended doses
  • Best dietary sources of calcium:
    • Dairy products (i.e. milk, cheese, yogurt, cream soups and pudding)
    • Green vegetables (i.e. broccoli, spinach and greens)
    • Seafood
    • Dried peas
    • Beans
  • Best sources of Vitamin D:
    • Exposure to sun
    • Eggs
    • Fish
    • Fortified milk
    • Exercise regularly
      • 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise (walking or jogging) 3-4x a week
      • Maintain a healthy lifestyle
        • Both smoking and excessive alcohol intake reduce bone mass
        • Prevent falls so you can stay active
        • Pharmacological treatment in patients if BMD (Bone Mineral Density) is below -1.5

Remedy Options

Primary Remedies

Silicea (also called Silica)

People who need this remedy are often nervous, easily tired, very chilly, and tend to sweat at night. They have a refined or delicate appearance, and often have weakness in the spine. Their injuries are slow to heal, and they tend to have a low resistance to infection. Moderate exercise often warms the person up and improves energy.

Symphytum

When osteoporosis is a problem, fractures often occur from mild trauma. This remedy can be useful for strengthening and healing bones when new fractures occur, and also helpful when pain persists in old, healed fractures.

Other Remedies

Calcarea carbonica

This remedy is often helpful to individuals who are easily tired by exertion and tend to feel anxious and overwhelmed from work or stress. The person may be chilly, flabby or overweight, and feel worse from cold and dampness. Back pain, swollen joints, and a sweaty head at night are often seen. People who need this remedy often have strong cravings for both eggs and sweets.

Calcarea phosphorica

Stiffness, soreness, and weakness of the bones and joints often are experienced by those who need this remedy. Aching in the bones of the neck, upper back, and hips can be distressing. Deep tiredness frequently is felt, especially after exercise. Calcium deposits and bone-spurs may develop, even while general bone-loss is taking place, and fractures may be slow to heal. A feeling of dissatisfaction and a strong desire for travel or a change of circumstances are often seen in people who need Calcarea phosphorica.

Phosphorus

This remedy is often helpful to people who are sensitive, suggestible, imaginative, but easily tired or weakened physically. Bones may be less strong than normal, or be slow to heal after fractures. Weakness is often felt in the spine, with burning pain between the shoulder blades. People who need this remedy are often tall and thin with an easily-flushing face. A desire for refreshing foods (especially ice cream) and strong thirst for cold or carbonated drinks are other indications for Phosphorus.