How to Prevent Your Osteoporosis From Worsening
Being diagnosed with osteoporosis can be quite alarming. You may find yourself feeling uncertain and confused, and chances are you will be left with more questions than answers after receiving your diagnosis. Don’t worry! Once you have a better understanding of osteoporosis, you will see there are a variety of treatment options and ways to curb the effects of osteoporosis.
What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis translates literally to “porous bone.” When human bones become porous, they also become more fragile. This means that those diagnosed with osteoporosis are more at risk for bone fractures and other bone-related injuries. You might think the only way to combat this condition is to stay at home or limit physical activity. But we at Southern Pain Specialists in Birmingham, Alabama believe that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your quality of life due to an osteoporosis diagnosis. By following these methods, you’ll be less likely to develop complications due to your osteoporosis.
Get Outside
While it may be tempting to stay at home and limit your activity, it’s absolutely important to step outside your house and get some sunshine. Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D, and exposing yourself to healthy levels of vitamin D will naturally promote strength within your bones. This will help lessen the effects of osteoporosis.
No More Coffee
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages may weaken the the bones, which can be very detrimental to someone suffering with osteoporosis. By cutting out caffeine from your diet, you can likely lessen the symptoms of osteoporosis. To see if this works, try eliminating caffeine for a week and see how you feel. Once you have gone a week without caffeine, you will likely feel more naturally alert and resilient.
Watch Your Protein Intake
By monitoring your protein intake, you may also lessen the effects of osteoporosis. The average person (including those with osteoporosis) typically intakes more than the recommended daily amount of protein. Overconsumption of protein causes the body to begin removing calcium through urination. This can be detrimental to those suffering from osteoporosis because calcium is the foundation for bone strength. By ingesting too much protein, you may be removing your body’s natural defense against osteoporosis.
Stomach Acid is Your Friend
It may seem like a universal truth that cutting down on stomach acid is a good thing. While acid reducers are a good temporary treatment for conditions such as heartburn, many people make the mistake of overusing acid reducers and blockers. Stomach acid is the primary way for calcium to be absorbed and distributed to your bones, and acid reducers and blockers may affect this important process. If you are taking acid reducers, try only taking medication for a few weeks at a time. Once your heartburn has subsided, stop taking acid reducers so that your body is able to generate normal, healthy levels of stomach acid.
Get Up and Exercise
By maintaining a consistent exercise routine involving weights, your muscles will strengthen. Strengthening your muscles will also, in turn, strengthen your bones. Don’t overwork yourself though. Used correctly, a simple 2--5 pound weight can work wonders for your muscles and bones. Air squats and other bodyweight exercises also work well for maintaining muscle strength. By strengthening your body through exercise, you will notice that your stamina and resilience to osteoporosis improves significantly over time .
Osteoporosis can be a frightening and sometimes overwhelming diagnosis. However, you don’t have to let osteoporosis get the better of you. By following these simple steps, you will be able to prevent your osteoporosis from worsening while still enjoying the quality of life that you deserve.
For more information on how to live with osteoporosis, we invite you to schedule a consultation through our website or by calling (205) 512-6420. Our highly skilled physicians will be able to discuss several more treatment options for this condition.