Everything You Need To Know About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition in which a group of bone disorders arises where the bone mass is less than normal. Osteoporosis can be defined as " a progressive systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture". Until affected with fractures, we may not find any symptoms of Osteoporosis usually.

According to Ayurveda osteoporosis can be grouped into the category of Asthi Kshaya( bone loss). As per Ayurveda, an imbalance of Tridoshas like Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are the main reasons behind the development of Osteoporosis.

Ayurveda has natural ways to cure Osteoporosis symptoms like Ahara and Vihara tips, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic treatments.

Symptoms Of Osteoporosis

Early detection of the symptoms helps to control the development of Osteoporosis in a worsen stage. General symptoms of Osteoporosis are:

• Severe back pain.
• Getting fractured easily.
• Reducing height over time.
• Changes in a posture like bending forward.
• Shortness of breath due to compressed lung capacity.

Severe back pain, loss of height over time, getting fractured easily, changes in the posture like bending forward, and shortness of breath due to compressed lungs.

Whenever you find these symptoms, try to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner to prevent Osteoporosis symptoms.

Causes Of Osteoporosis

General causes of Osteoporosis are:

• Family history

  If any of your family members have osteoporosis, there are more chances for you to get affected with the same condition.

• Gender

  Women are more likely to have osteoporosis than men, especially after menopause.

• Age

  Age is a major factor for developing Osteoporosis. When you get older there are more chances of Osteoporosis symptoms.

• Bone structure and body weight

  Petite people have more chances of developing Osteoporosis due to less body weight and smaller bone frames.

• Ethnicity

  According to studies Asian and Caucasian descent are at greater chances of developing Osteoporosis.

• Hormonal imbalances

  Too much thyroid hormone leads to bone loss and lowered sex hormone leads to weaker bones.

• Eating habits

  Eating habits are another reason for the development of Osteoporosis. If you are not taking enough calcium and Vitamin D-rich foods, such a condition leads to bone loss or increased chances of fractures easily. Eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, etc cause osteoporosis symptoms.

• Smoking and alcohol consumption

  Smoking and alcohol consumption disrupts bone turnover, resulting in lower bone mass and an increased risk of bone fractures.

• Gastrointestinal surgery

  People who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery have more chances of developing Osteoporosis because, in this surgery, certain parts of the intestine are removed, such a situation leads to low absorption of nutrients especially calcium.

• Long-term medications

  Longer use of medicines for diseases like cancer, gastric reflux, multiple myeloma, kidney diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc causes damage to bones sometimes and leads to osteoporosis.

• Sedentary lifestyle

  Following an inactive lifestyle ( sitting for a long time or lack of exercise) have more chances of affecting Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis may develop due to various reasons like age, gender, ethnicity, hereditary, certain medications, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol consumption, gastrointestinal surgery, hormonal imbalances, and eating habits.

Herbal Remedies To Cure Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be effectively treated with herbal remedies. Herbs are the gift of our nature and have been widely used to prepare Ayurvedic formulations. Herbal contains lots of medicinal properties that help to prevent various diseases.

• Ashwagandha

  Ashwagandha is an effective herb in improving bone health. The herb helps to increase urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion; hence increases the number of cells that produce bone tissues. Ashwagandha is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that prevent pain and inflammations associated with osteoporosis.

• Ginger

  Ginger has been widely used in Ayurveda to treat various diseases. Ginger is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that protect your body from various diseases.

• Turmeric

  Turmeric is very effective in repairing and building bone mass. Turmeric contains anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce pain and stiffness related to bone illness.

• Lemongrass

  Lemongrass is very effective in treating osteoporosis. Lemongrass is rich in flavonoids that help in strengthening the bones effectively.

• Gotu Kola

  Gotu kola has been widely used to improve ligament and cartilage health. These are the organs that are responsible for connecting joints together.

• Cinnamon

  Cinnamon is rich in powerful antioxidant properties. The calcium and manganese properties in cinnamon improve bone health and reduce osteoporosis symptoms.

• Black pepper

  Pepper is rich in minerals. Manganese content of black pepper helps in improving bone health naturally.

Ashwagandha, ginger, turmeric, gotu kola, black pepper, lemongrass, and cinnamon are powerful herbs that can cure Osteoporosis very effectively by improving bone health.

Ayurvedic Treatment Of Osteoporosis

Ayurveda is a healing system that originated in India more than 5000 years ago. Most of the diseases we see around us daily can be effectively treated with Ayurveda. Ayurveda believes in natural methods of treatment.

• Nidana Parivarjana

  ‘Nidana’ means 'cause 'and ‘Parivarjan’ means eradication. Nidana Parivarjana is the first line of treatment for any diseases in Ayurveda. The causes of the development of osteoporosis in Ayurveda are Ahartamaka, Viharatmaka, and manas. So the therapy aims to treat these causes first to prevent Osteoporosis symptoms.

• Panchakarma

  Panchakarma is the prime therapy used in Ayurveda to treat Osteoporosis. The therapy helps to eliminate toxins from your body and mind. There are generally three stages in Panchakarma therapy like Purva Karma, Pradhan Karma, and Paschaat karma. Purva karma includes the Snehan and Sweden process that aims to prepare the patients to get full benefits of Panchakarma therapy. Pradhan karma includes Vaman, Virechan, Vasti, and Nasya processes that aim to remove toxins that are accumulated in the stomach. Paschaat karma is the last step in Panchakarma therapy that follows a healthy diet and herbal remedies to rejuvenate the body and mind of the patient.

• Sodhana Therapy

  Sodhana is a purification therapy that aims to expel aggravated doshas from the body and brings a balance of doshas. .

• Shamana Therapy

  Shamana therapy is very effective in treating Asthi Kshaya or bone loss. Shamana therapy aims to balance Tridoshas like Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Shamana therapy includes both internal and external treatments to balance the doshas.

Ahar And Vihar (Diet And Lifestyle) Recommendations

For staying healthy, it is always necessary to follow a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle methods. The symptoms of Osteoporosis can be reduced by practicing the following tips:

1. Ahar (Diet) Tips

The foods you consume normally affect your bones and health. So by giving proper care while intake of foods helps to prevent most of the diseases.

• Include more calcium-rich foods in your diet.
• Include yogurt and cheese in your daily diet.
• Add more green-colored vegetables to your diet like cabbage, broccoli, mustard green, etc.
• Add more calcium and Vitamin- D contained foods to your diet.

2. Vihar (Lifestyle) Tips

Osteoporosis is directly related to our way of living.

• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as they may weaken your bones.
• Maintain a daily routine in a systematic way for what you do every day.
• Avoid sitting for a long time.
• Make light exercises a part of your daily routine.
• Practice yoga and meditation to avoid stressful situations.
• Maintain healthy body weight. Very high or low body weight directly affects your bones.

By following a healthy diet and lifestyle practice can prevent the symptoms of Osteoporosis positively.

Ayurveda has natural ways to cure Osteoporosis without any side effects. Healthy diet and lifestyle practices, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic treatments are the recommendations of Ayurveda to cure Osteoporosis.

Conclusion

All the information about Osteoporosis was obtained from various Ayurvedic resources. Kindly get the advice of your Ayurvedic practitioner before using any herbs or herbal treatments.

References

• Charaka Samhita.