A common result of osteoporosis is fractures. Osteoporosis rarely causes signs or symptoms until it’s advanced.
Signs and symptoms of osteoporosis include:
- Back pain
- Loss of height over time
- A stooped posture
- Fracture of the vertebra, wrist, hip or other bone
Risk factors:
Factors that can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis include:
- gender - being female
- age - the older you are, the greater the risk
- menopause or amenorrhea
- family history
- frame size - men and women with small body frames
- medications - steroids
- low calcium intake
- weight loss
- tobacco use
- sedentary lifestyle
Do I need a bone density test?
The American Osteoporosis Foundation recommends a bone density test if you are:
- A woman older than age 65 or a man older than age 70, regardless of risk factors
- A postmenopausal woman with at least one risk factor for osteoporosis
- A man between age 50 and 70 who has at least one osteoporosis risk factor
- Older than age 50 with a history of a broken bone
- Take medications, such as prednisone, aromatase inhibitors or anti-seizure drugs, that are associated with osteoporosis
- A postmenopausal woman who has recently stopped taking hormone therapy
- A woman who experienced early menopause
Homeopathic Medicines for Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis
A number of homeopathic medicines are available to help slow bone loss and maintain bone mass. They do not have the side effects of the commonly used bisphosphonates.
Homeopathy is most effective for prevention of osteoporosis and treatment of mild osteoporosis. In advanced osteoporosis homeopathy can be added to the conventional drugs.
The most commonly prescribed medicines include Silicea, Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Calcarea fluorica, Phosphorus and Natrum muriaticum. They improve calcium and phosphorus metabolism and are generally given as a long-term treatment.
French and Czech teams`reported beneficial effects of a complex homeopathic medicine Osteocynesine in osteoporosis in menopausal women. Women got bone density tests before and after 3- and 6-month treatment with Osteocynesine that contains homeopathic dilutions of Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Calcarea fluorica and Sulphur iodatum. The follow-ups showed increase of bone density.
In my experience Osteocynesine slows bone loss and maintains bone density in female patients with postmenopausal or steroid osteoporosis when given as a long-term treatment 1-2 tablets 3 times a day. In advanced osteoporosis, I add it to the conventional treatment of the patient.
Three factors essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life are:
- Adequate amounts of calcium
- Adequate amounts of vitamin D
- Regular exercise
Long-term treatment with calcium supplements is not recommended because some patients develop bone spurs, kidney and gall bladder stones due to calcium deposits.
Vasilka Yurukova, MD is a leading medical and integrative practitioner who specializes and trains in homeopathy. In addition to offering a homeopathic and natural alternative healing approach, Dr.Yurukova offers root cause analysis of health issues, as well as individualized nutritional and digestive advice, and lifestyle changes.