OSTEOPOROSIS & OSTEOMYELITIS

 

 

   

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OSTEOPOROSIS

"Healthy bones are dense and strong. Osteoporosis causes bone density and quality to deteriorate over time. As a result, the bones become porous and brittle, resembling a honeycomb-like structure under a microscope. Compromising the structure of bones is a set up for fractures.

Osteoporosis is often referred to as a 'silent disease' because it typically progresses without any noticeable symptoms until a fracture occurs."

https://spinehealth.org/article/osteoporosis/
- January 16, 2024

Signs & Symptoms:

Persistent back pain:
The pain may occur in the middle or lower back and may worsen with movement or activities like lifting, bending, or twisting.

Change in Posture:
Osteoporosis-related fractures can lead to a change in posture, particularly an exaggerated rounding of the upper back. This altered posture is known as “dowager’s hump” and is more common in advanced cases.

Limited Mobility: Severe cases of spinal osteoporosis can restrict an individual’s mobility and flexibility, making it challenging to perform daily activities or maintain an active lifestyle.

NOTE:
If fractures have occurred, these often have devastating consequences and limit daily activities such as: walking, bathing, and dressing.

 

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Causes:

• Diet. Beginning in childhood and into old age, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D can increase your risk for osteoporosis and fractures. Excessive dieting or poor protein intake may increase your risk for bone loss and osteoporosis.
  
  
• Lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can be important for keeping bones strong. Factors that contribute to bone loss include:
  • Low levels of physical activity and prolonged periods of inactivity can contribute to an increased rate of bone loss. They also leave you in poor physical condition, which can increase your risk of falling and breaking a bone.
  • Chronic heavy drinking of alcohol  is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis.
  • Studies indicate that smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture. Researchers are still studying if the impact of smoking on bone health is from tobacco use alone or if people who smoke have more risk factors for osteoporosis.

• Age. As you age, bone loss happens more quickly, and new bone growth is slower. Over time, your bones can weaken and your risk for osteoporosis increases.

 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis

Treatment:

The goals for treating osteoporosis are to slow or stop bone loss and to prevent fractures. Your health care provider may recommend:

• *Proper nutrition.
  
  
• Lifestyle changes.
• Exercise.
• Fall prevention to help prevent fractures.
• Medications.

NOTE: if you take a medication that causes bone loss, your doctor may lower the dose of that medication or switch you to another medication.

*Nutrition:

An important part of treating osteoporosis is eating a healthy...

• Plenty of fruits and vegetables.
  
• Foods and liquids that include: calcium, vitamin D, and protein.
  * These help minimize bone loss and maintain overall health.
  ... it’s important to eat a diet rich in all nutrients to help protect and maintain bone health.

Calcium and Vitamin D

Resources:
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis
https://spinehealth.org/article/osteoporosis/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/

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Movements to avoid:

 

If you have osteoporosis, don't do the following types of exercises:

• High-impact exercises. 
  
  Activities such as jumping, running or jogging can lead to fractures in weakened bones. Avoid jerky, rapid movements in general. Choose exercises with slow, controlled movements. If you're generally fit and strong despite having osteoporosis, however, you might be able to do somewhat higher-impact exercise than someone who is frail.
  
  
• Bending and twisting. 
  
  In people who have osteoporosis, bending forward at the waist and twisting at the waist can increase the risk for broken bones in the spine. Exercises to avoid include touching your toes or doing sit-ups. Other activities that may require you to bend or twist forcefully at the waist are golf, tennis, bowling and some yoga poses.

 

https://www.VibrantAyurveda.com.au/2023

Choosing the right form of exercise:

These types of activities are often recommended for people with osteoporosis:

• Strength training exercises, especially those for the upper back.
  
  
• Weight-bearing aerobic activities, like walking!!
  
  
• Flexibility exercises (YOGA)
  
  
• Stability and balance exercises.
  
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/in-depth/osteoporosis/
  
  https://youtu.be/WPy8bI4r5o0?si=IO-ueMWuzxgdjKT7
  
  
  
  

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Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection.
It is mainly caused by bacteria

Symptoms of osteomyelitis:

(*not specific & vary w/ age)

Main symptoms include:

• Bone pain
• Excessive sweating
• Fever and chills
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
• Local swelling, redness, and warmth

https://www.pennmedicine.org/bone-infection-

Causes:

 

Bone infection is most often caused by bacteria.
But it can also be caused by fungi or other germs.

When a person has osteomyelitis:

• 1) Bacteria or other germs may spread to a bone from infected skin, muscles, or tendons next to the bone. This may occur under a skin sore.
  
  
• 2) The infection can start in another part of the body and spread to the bone through the blood.
  
  
• 3) The infection can also start after bone surgery.
  This is more likely if the surgery is done after an injury, if metal rods or plates are placed in the bone.
  
  
  

  Treatment:

  The goal of treatment is to get rid of the infection & reduce damage to the bone and surrounding tissues.

  Antibiotics are given to destroy the bacteria causing the infection:

  • You may receive more than one antibiotic at a time.
    
    
  • Antibiotics are taken for at least 4 to 6 weeks,
    
    

  Surgery may be needed to remove dead bone tissue if the above methods fail.

  • ...if there are metal plates near the infection, they may need to be removed.
    
    

    References

    Matteson EL, Osmon DR. Infections of bursae, joints, and bones. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 256.

    Raukar NP, Zink BJ. Bone and joint infections. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 128.

    Tande AJ, Steckelberg JM, Osmon DR, Berbari EF. Osteomyelitis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 104.

Plain radiograph showing osteomyelitis of the distal fourth metatarsal and distal third and fourth phalanges (arrows). Cortical disruption and osteolysis are present.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2011/1101/p1027.html

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Conculsion:

" In Chinese medicine and spiritual practices call life-energy: Ch'i (Qi).
In Indian medical and spiritual terminology, energy (prana) is believed to come from the air."

-https://www.amazon.com/Massage-Total-Well-Being-Anne/dp/078930502X

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PLAN:

Outlook (Prognosis)

With treatment, the outcome for acute osteomyelitis is often good.

The outlook is worse for those with long-term (chronic) osteomyelitis. Symptoms may come and go for years, even with surgery. Amputation may be needed, especially in people with diabetes or poor blood circulation.

The outlook for people with an infection of a prosthesis depends partly on:

• The person's health
• The type of infection
• Whether the infected prosthesis can be safely removed

osteoporosis:

Flexibility exercises (YOGA)

Moving joints through their full range of motion helps keep muscles working well.

Stretches are best performed after muscles are warmed up.
For example, it's good to stretch at the end of an exercise session or after a 10-minute warm-up.
Stretches should be done gently and slowly, without bouncing.

Avoid stretches that flex the spine or require bending at the waist.
Ask your health care provider which stretching exercises are best for you.

Stability and balance exercises

Efforts to prevent falls are especially important for people with osteoporosis.
Stability and balance exercises help muscles work together in a way that makes falls less likely. Simple exercises that improve stability and balance include standing on one leg and movement-based exercises such as tai chi.

Solutions:
go outside (rain or shine) move around, exercise, and BREATHE

- Drink more water

- Less coffee, more herbal teas

- Eat a better diet w/ protines, fruits and veg.

 

- More root vegetables & squash:
sweet potatoes, beets, ginger, turmeric, pumpkin, yellow squash… soups & stews.

- warm oatmeal in the morning, w/ More fruits & less sweets

-Yoga reduces my stress, and lifts my spirits, and daily meditation is beneficial
(as little as 10 min a day, if you are "busy" then 30min!).

*LISTEN TO MUSIC THAT HEALS YOU*

Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage
by Sandy Fritz & Luke Fritz


ANTIINFLAMATORY DIET:
ginger, turmeric, cumin,
pineapple & papaya
protiens: egg, fish, chicken
oils: olive oil, flaxseed

Anxiety:

"One rat study suggests that cardamom extract may prevent anxious
behaviors. This may be because low blood levels of antioxidants have been
linked to the development of anxiety and other mood disorders."

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cardamom-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_10

 

love what you eat

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