When you understand a medical condition, it’s easier to prevent or treat it, and osteoporosis is no different. Osteoporosis is a common condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. Let’s answer the question “What is osteoporosis?” as well as discuss the causes and symptoms and highlight treatment options or prevention strategies so you can stay ahead of your health.
What Do You Need to Know About Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, which literally translates to "porous bone," is characterized by weakened bones that are prone to fractures. Our body constantly remodels our bones, but when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the removal of old bone, it becomes weak and brittle. Minor falls can lead to fractures, and in severe cases of osteoporosis, simple actions like coughing or bending over can even cause breaks.
Osteoporosis Causes
Several factors can contribute to the development of osteoporosis, including the aging process. Bone density naturally decreases with age, partially in relation to hormonal changes. Decreased estrogen in women during menopause and reduced testosterone in men can cause bone loss. Nutritional deficiencies like lack of calcium and vitamin D can weaken bones because these are the building blocks of new bone cells. Living a sedentary lifestyle, consuming excessive alcohol, and smoking can increase the risk of osteoporosis, too. Certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid problems can also contribute, as can long-term use of corticosteroids and other medications.
Osteoporosis Symptoms
Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because it can worsen without you knowing it’s even happening until a fracture occurs. There are some signs that you can look for, though:
- Loss of Height: Over time, osteoporosis can lead to a decrease in height as the bone deteriorates and the spine compresses.
- Back Pain: Osteoporosis tends to affect the vertebrae of the spine the most, and back pain could be an indicator.
- Stooped Posture: Also known as kyphosis, this forward curvature of the spine occurs as the vertebrae compress with bone loss.
- Fractures: Minor injuries, particularly in the spine, hip, or wrist, can cause fractures, which can be a sign of osteoporosis.
Treatment for Osteoporosis
While there is no cure for osteoporosis, several treatments can help manage the condition, prevent fractures, and reduce the rate of bone loss.
- Medications: Bisphosphonates, hormone therapy, and other medications can help maintain bone density. There are potential side effects, including rare instances of developing bone cancer.
- Dietary Supplements: Calcium and vitamin D supplements are essential for bone health to provide the necessary building materials.
- Lifestyle Changes: Incorporating healthy eating, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake can improve bone health.
- Low-Magnitude Vibration: Specially designed to calibrate to your body’s frequency, the Juvent Micro-Impact Platform uses vibration that improves bone health. The gentle yet supremely effective device is one of the safest, most effective ways to possibly improve not only bone density but overall health.
- Exercise and Physical Therapy: Exercises like walking and weight lifting provide the bones with the right impact to stay strong. Physical therapy also helps strengthen muscles and improve balance to prevent falls.
How to Prevent Osteoporosis
Being proactive, especially when you’re younger, can help prevent osteoporosis from starting. Ensure you’re eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods are excellent sources. Regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises help strengthen bones. Avoid or stop smoking and limit your alcohol consumption. Regular bone density screenings are important to get a baseline and then monitor changes to help detect early signs of bone loss.
Using Juvent's Micro-Impact Platform for Sturdy Bones
Juvent's Micro-Impact Platform offers a cost-effective solution for managing and preventing osteoporosis. Our technology delivers low-magnitude, high-frequency micro-impact vibrations that are tuned into your body’s exact wavelengths. Unlike cheaper, unregulated whole-body vibration devices, Juvent's platform is specifically designed to deliver the precise vibrations needed to promote bone health without causing harm. Using the platform for 20 minutes a day is easy due to its compact size, quiet operation, and simple interface. The gentle vibrations promote the formation of new bone cells, possibly increasing bone density. Regular use can enhance muscle strength and balance, reducing the risk of falls.
Investing in Juvent's Micro-Impact Platform could save on long-term medical expenses by reducing the risk of fractures and the need for more intensive treatments. With financing options to spread out the cost, it’s the equivalent of just a few dollars a day.
Osteoporosis is a serious condition that can significantly impact quality of life. Prevention and treatment are crucial for having the best quality of life as you age. However, you need options that are easy to use and won’t take up all of your time. Juvent's Micro-Impact Platform offers bone health benefits to help reduce the risk of fractures. Don’t let the threat of osteoporosis make retirement unenjoyable! Make the Micro-Impact Platform part of your daily routine and get back to enjoying life.
FDA Disclosure
In the US, the Juvent device is considered investigational for the treatment of osteoporosis or improvement/maintenance of bone mineral density and our claims have not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA to treat any disease or condition. Calculated over the 20+ year expected life of a Juvent. The JUVENT® Micro-Impact Platform® is Registered as a Class I medical device for exercise and rehabilitation. JUVENT products are covered by the following issued patents, pending patents and their foreign equivalents: 6,843,776 6,884,2277,094211 7,207,954 7,207,955 7,985,191 8,114,036 11/369,611 11/486,538. Juvent, Dynamic Motion Therapy, Micro-Impact Platform, and the symbol are Registered trademarks of Regenerative Technologies Corporation.