Bone and Joint Health

The difference between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis

Osteo is a latin word meaning bone. Porosis means exactly what it is Porous, meaning many holes. Arthritis on the other hand refers to degenerative joint so Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are different conditions. 

Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile and prone to fracture, while osteoarthritis is a disease where damage occurs to the joints at the end of the bones. Both however can cause back pain and height loss, especially in older people.

Nearly 20% of people have arthritis is due to injury to a joint, or post traumatic arthritisI Long distance runners and soccer players are at higher risk of getting knee OA which is the short form for osteoarthritis.

Do not ignore symptoms such as Joint Stiffness or Joint Pain This means that your joints are undergoing damaging processes and you need to pay attention to it early, to avoid getting into early Osteoarthritis (OA).

People who are Overweight (extra pressure on joints) are also at risk, even simple exercises will cause damage on joints due to weight

People who like to run Marathons (continuous use of joints) and if minor damage to ligaments or tendons not attended to early can lead to a slow progression to Osteoarthritis.

When osteoarthritis strikes, the cushioning material (cartilage) that covers the ends of the bones breaks down. Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, crunching or grating sounds (when the joint is flexed), swelling and loss of flexibility.

Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

There are 3 stages of OA, the first is what we just described. As it progresses to Stage 2, the joint pain and discomfort will become more intense and painkillers such as NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti-inflammatories) are needed to stop the pain. At this stage, patients can start taking Glucosamine and chondroitin or UC-II (Un denatured collagen Type 2.

At the severe stage which is Stage 3: There is severe joint pain, rigidity and discomfort and some swelling. Replacing HA (Hyaluronic Acid which is the main component in synovial fluid)will improve lubrication and function and is the treatment goal for all health professionalsSometimes injections of HA is given by doctors directly into the joint per week for 3 to 5 weeks.

Osteoporosis. Did you know that women have less bone tissue and lose bone faster than men because of the changes that happen with menopause? Bone loss is fastest in the first few years after menopause, and it continues into the postmenopausal years. Osteoporosis—which mainly affects women but may also affect men—will develop when bone resorption/bone loss occurs too quickly or when replacement occurs too slowly. Osteoporosis is more likely to develop if you did not reach optimal peak bone mass during your bone-building years.

The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become thinner and weaker as you age. Small, thin-boned women are at greater risk.People whose parents have a history of fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and may be at risk for fractures.

Changes that you can make to reduce risk factors:

  • Take more Calcium and vitamin D.
  • Be more active
  • Quit Smoking
  • Reduce Alcohol intake.
     

Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a hip to fracture.

Did you know that National nutrition surveys show that many people consume less than half the amount of calcium recommended to build and maintain healthy bones? Calcium consumption among Malaysian women is low below 500mg daily.

Food sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream; dark green, leafy vegetables, sardines and salmon with bones; tofu; almonds; Depending on how much calcium you get each day from food, you may need to take a calcium supplement.

Calcium needs change during one’s lifetime. When you were a child or teenager, you need more calcium as the skeleton is growing rapidly. Postmenopausal women and older men also need to consume more calcium. Also, as you age, your body becomes less efficient at absorbing calcium and other nutrients. Older adults also are more likely to have chronic medical problems and to use medications that may impair calcium absorption.

Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin K deficiency results in a decreased level of active Osteocalcin, which in turn increases the risk for fragile bones.

Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, is made by the bacteria that line your gastrointestinal tract

One recent study published in the journal Modern Rheumatology1 found that vitamin K2 has the potential to improve disease activity besides osteoporosis in those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Besides supplementation, exercise is an important component of an osteoporosis prevention and treatment program. Exercise not only improves your bone health, but it increases muscle strength, coordination, and balance, and leads to better overall health. Although exercise is good for someone with osteoporosis, it should not put any sudden or excessive strain on your bones.

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