6 signs of bone loss

[Guest guest]

Osteoporosis remains a very serious cause of disability and death - nothing to

be taken lightly. Moat doctors would recommend that everyone over 50 have a Bone

Density test, especially for those who are obese since this can indicate a poor

diet as well as poor exercise and other factors that increase the risk of bone

loss.

Sandy

___________________

Bone health

Nature's tips on bone loss — 6 signs and symptoms of bone health

by Dr. E. Brown, PhD

How do we know whether our bones are healthy or not? We can't see them like we

can our skin, or listen to them like the heart or lungs. Bone density scans are

one way to look inside bone, but we rarely get a bone density test until after

menopause and even so, bone mineral density technology has a long way to go in

my opinion. As a medical anthropologist, I'm always wondering what nature can

tell us on her own about our health. And it turns out, there are many outward

signs and symptoms that may shed light on the health of your bones.

I refer to these signs and symptoms as " tips " from nature about our bone health.

They certainly aren't definitive or anything to scare you into thoughts of

osteoporosis, but if you're the type of person who's planning to be active and

strong well into old age like I am, it doesn't hurt to assess your bones from

the outside.

Let's take a look at some signs and symptoms that may be indicators of early

bone loss. Investigating these tips early on may save you from unwanted

treatment or therapy down the line and offer you the freedom of strength and

movement for the rest of your life.

1.Receding gums. Receding gums are quite common and can be attributed to a

variety of factors, one of which is bone loss. Our teeth are connected to the

jaw bone and if the jaw is losing bone, gums can recede. In studies of women,

jaw bone loss has also been associated with lower bone mineral density in areas

such as the vertebral bodies of the lumbar spine. The standard panoramic x-rays

during your visits to the dentist can provide a well-informed dentist with an

opportunity to screen you for bone loss. So ask your dentist to share any

information and insight he or she may glean from your exam and x-rays regarding

your bone health.

2.Decreased grip strength. As we grow older, one of the surest ways to keep the

risk of fracture to a minimum is through fall prevention — and for that, good

balance, overall muscle strength, and grip strength are fundamental. In a recent

study of postmenopausal women, handgrip strength was the most important physical

test factor related to overall bone mineral density. And fortunately, improving

handgrip strength and overall muscle strength is within your reach, no matter

what your age. For more information on increasing muscle strength, see my

article on exercise and bone health.

3.Weak and brittle fingernails. I often observe that after women start a program

for better bone health, their fingernails grow stronger and healthier right

along with their bones. We always consider it a good sign when nail strength

improves, and recent science suggests this nail-bone health observation is

indeed valid. However, spending time in water, exposed to harsh chemicals,

digging in the garden, or other work can be tough on your nails, so take these

into consideration as you assess your own nails.

Low vitamin D is easy to correct

For most people, vitamin D deficiency is neither difficult nor costly to

diagnose and correct. Have your own levels checked twice yearly with the change

of seasons, and supplement accordingly. (See the ABC's of vitamin D testing and

treatment for recommendations.) This simple, low-cost practice will go a long

way towards halting unnecessary bone weakening.

4.Cramps, muscle aches, and bone pain. As we get older, many of us accept aches

and pains as a part of life, but these symptoms may indicate that your bones are

in need of some support. Muscle and bone pain is an often overlooked, but

well-documented symptom of severely inadequate vitamin D — an important bone

builder. According to experts, vitamin D deficiency has reached alarming

proportions, and researchers worldwide have been evaluating its association with

muscle pain.

Cramps are another symptom to pay attention to. There can be a number of

mechanisms causing leg and foot cramps, but leg cramps that occur at night are

often a signal that your calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium blood levels have

dropped too low during the night, when you are not consuming food. If this

situation were to persist over time, excessive bone loss could occur. At the

Center for Better Bones, I recommend that women experiencing nocturnal calf and

foot cramps take their calcium–magnesium supplements closer to bedtime.

5.Height loss. Losing height is very common as we age and there are many

precursors to it, including poor posture and vertebral fractures. Poor posture

may not mean you have bone loss, but it can indicate weakening of the muscles

around your spine, and since bone and muscle work in one unit and typically gain

and lose strength in synchrony, it's likely that a loss in muscle is connected

to an eventual loss in bone.

Want to know if you're losing bone?

Try testing your pH. If your first-morning urine pH (after at least 6 hours of

sleep without getting up to urinate) is below 6.5, or, if your first-morning

saliva pH is below 7.0, your bone alkali mineral reserves are likely being drawn

out of your skeleton to buffer metabolic acids.

6.Low overall fitness. Osteoporosis has been linked to overall decline in

physical fitness, as measured by aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and even

balance. If your general fitness declines, it is likely that bone mass will also

decline. Instead of feeling scared or worried by these changes, take the

opportunity to put more attention on your personal health and longevity by

taking care your bones. Even women who have been sedentary their whole lives can

make significant gains, including better physical coordination, when they

undertake a moderate, self-paced exercise program designed for their needs. And

even people in their 80's and 90's have the ability to adapt and respond to both

endurance and strength training. For ideas, read my article on exercise and bone

health.