“DRY BONES”
Methods to treat, prevent
osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
QUIZ
1. How many bones does the
human body have?
Ans:
Birth=300, as child develops some bones fuse
together, example, skull
Adult=206
2. What is the largest bone
in your body?
Ans:
Femur,
found in your thigh
3. What is the smallest
bone in your body?
Ans:
Stirrup,
found in inner ear. Connects to hammer
and anvil
4. Are male and female
skeletons different? How?
Ans:
Yes. Different elbow angle. Males have thicker, longer arms and
legs. Females have wider pelvis bones
and wider space within the pelvis for birth canal.
5. Can you strengthen
weakened or thinned bones i.e. build bone mass?
Ans:
Yes. We
will learn how in this class.
6. Do bone cells
regenerate?
Ans:
Yes. New skeleton every 7 years due to cells
burning and regenerating.
FUNCTION OF
BONES:
The skeleton is the frame for the body, supporting body weight. The skeleton maintains body shape, protects
vital organs, and provides a system of muscle levers that allow body
movement. The skeleton contains bone
marrow—in center of bones—which is the blood forming tissues of the body. Bone marrow stores needed minerals such as
calcium and phosphorus and releases them into the blood for distribution and
nutrition. Bones are connected to
adjacent bones by joints are fixed as with the skull; hinged such as fingers
and toes; ball and socket joints such as shoulders and hips. Joints are two bones connected, and the bones
are covered with a smooth, slippery cushion called cartilage which protects the
bone friction during movement. A tough
capsule lined with synovial membrane produces a lubricating fluid making
movement smooth. Ligaments surround and support each joint of the bones and
prevent excessive movement. Muscles attach
to bone on each side of a joint.
OSTEO ARTHRITIS
With age the protective coating,
cartilage, wears thin, allowing two bones to rub together. The synovial membrane can also be torn,
losing fluid. When this happens often
inflammation attacks, causing swelling and pain. The stiffness experienced comes from the
thinned cartilage and dryness. Both
produce pain with movement. The body’s
natural response to injury and infection plays an important role in
healing. The immune system needs to be
in best condition.
LATEST
STATISTICS REPORT THAT NEARLY 40 MILLION PEOPLE REPORT SOME FORM OF
ARTHRITIS.
Osteo arthritis can affect any joint
but most prone are foot, finger, and hip, knee joints. It may appear in one joint or many. The disease is often mild but can become
quite severe. Sometimes bone ends
thicken, forming spurs which are bits of cartilage or bone float in the joint
space. Joints can become mis shapened as
result. Often this type is associated
with degenerative disc disease which is the same process as joint decline where
the cartilages between vertebrae thin and weaken with age and wear, causing
back pain and weakness.
The so called ups and downs
experienced with the disease are due to the presence or absence of
inflammation.
TREATMENT:
At one time doctors advised arthritis
patients to rest and avoid exercise.
Doing nothing, however, results in weak, stiff joints, reduced mobility,
and lost vitality. Now rheumatologists
routinely recommend a balance of physical activity and rest. Exercise offers physical and psychological
benefits that include overall fitness and well-being, and increased mobility
which actually reduces pain.
Joints require motion to stay
healthy. Range of motion, flexibility
exercises every day even during one of the flare up or down times. Painful joints should be moved gently. Additionally strengthening and endurance
activities are recommended in the absence of inflammation. For severe cases physician or physical
therapy guidance is needed. Muscle
strength is especially important because strong muscles better support
joints. Several studies show that if one
improves muscle strength he decreases pain.
Joints will probably hurt during exercise, but should not be
severe. Stop with resistance. Anti
inflammatory drugs help to reduce inflammation local application of heat
sometimes reduces joint pain. Ice packs
have been used for swollen areas, especially with degenerative disc.
For severe cases surgical
intervention such as joint replacement will be indicated. Today shoulders, knees, ankles, and hip
joints are readily replaced.
PREVENTION:
Since the immune system is necessary
to fight and prevent inflammation it is good to boost the immune system for
assured maximum function. Our diets play
an important role in this effort. Too
much of our diets contain foods that have additives which actually weaken the
immune system. Meats that have
antibiotics added have created overwork for the immune system which results in
resistance to drugs that should treat infections and inflammation. The body builds immunity by taking in small
amounts of antibodies and attacking them.
With antibiotics in our food the system is forever creating more
antibodies, no wonder it wears down. A good steady intake of antioxidants will
increase the effectiveness of the immune system and also rid the body of
waste. Some foods such as pork have a
natural tendency to irritate the immune system.
Vitamin A. D. Calcium, helps to promote bone strength. Proteins help with muscle building.
Glucosimine Condritin is good for
cartilage building. Torn or worn
cartilage will rebuild if not completely gone with use of glucosomine.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis
is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If untreated this disease will be silent
until sudden bone breakage alerts a person of the problem. Any bone can be affected but most frequently
and of most concern are fractures of the hip and spine. These almost always require hospitalization
and major surgery. It can impair a
person’s ability to walk and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or
even death. Spinal or vertebral
fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back
pain, and deformity.
MILLIONS
OF AMERICANS ARE AT RISK FOR OSTEOPOROSIS:
WOMEN ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO DEVELOP THE DISESES BUT MEN
ALSO SUFFER FROM THE DISEASE IN INCREASING NUMBERS.
PREVENTION:
Have
bone density tests regularly after 40.
Engage
in regular weight bearing exercise.
Walking, dancing, stair-climbing.
Avoid
smoking and consumption of alcohol.
Get the
daily recommended amounts of calcium (100 to 1300 mg per day) and vitamin D
(400 to 800 IU per day). Vitamin D is necessary to absorb calcium. Without Vitamin D you will not absorb the
calcium from the food you eat so the body will pull it from your bones. Vitamin D comes from two sources: Through the
skin following direct exposure to sunlight and from diet. Egg yolks and saltwater fish are healthy
sources of natural vitamin D.
Soft
drinks have been closely linked to risk of osteoporosis, especially diet
drinks. They seem to deplete calcium which
will thin bones due to the presence of phosphoric acid. Caffeine like salt can cause urinary loss of
calcium. Tea however, has flavonoids
that override this risk and actually does well as an antioxidant. Tests have shown that tea drinkers have less
bone loss.
Post menopausal
women must weigh the value of hormone therapy since loss of estrogen is a factor in bone
development and thinning.
Salt can deplete calcium in the body so many
doctors are now recommending a lowered salt intake and advising patients to
limit processed foods and restaurant foods that are most often heavy with
salt. The isoflavones in soy products have
shone protection against bone loss in animal tests.
Increased
body mass helps protect against osteoporosis.
People who lose large amount of weight need to take precautions to eat
properly and also do weight-bearing exercises to decrease the risk.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW IS THAT BONE MASS CAN INCREASE. BY FOLLOWING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS YOU CAN
BOTH PREVENT AND TREAT OSTEOPOROSIS.
Whole
grains and foods without preservatives and additives with a daily program of
fresh air and exercise , immune boosting antioxidant rich foods and calcium,
Vitamin D will work. THOUGHT: Dark chocolate is a very rich
antioxidant. Have some tea and dark
chocolate—no sugar.