Bone Health - FAQs
Is jogging or running considered safe for a person with osteoporosis?
For most people with osteoporosis, jogging would be considered unsafe. While jogging is a high-impact, weight-bearing exercise that can help keep bones strong, it may also increase the risk of breaking a bone. Power walking and walking briskly are much safer and almost as effective for achieving many health benefits of exercise. Moreover, seeking professional help from a doctor who knows your medical history and bone mineral density would be necessary before taking up activities such as jogging.
I have stiffness and pain in my legs as well as my back. Is it due to osteoporosis?
Stiffness and pain in the legs or knees are most commonly associated with osteoarthritis and are rarely caused by osteoporosis. Back pain, however, may be due to osteoporosis or other conditions such as osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease. It is possible to have osteoporosis and osteoarthritis as well as other conditions at the same time. Hence, you should visit our doctors to seek professional medical help and diagnose the disease at the earliest.
I have osteoporosis. Is yoga safe for me?
If you have osteoporosis, you should avoid any movement that requires you to bend forward from the waist, such as doing a toe touch. When you bend forward from the waist, your shoulders and back become rounded. This can increase the risk of a spine fracture. Seek professional help from our homeopathic doctors to know what types of exercises and movements are safe for you.
Does caffeine rob the body of calcium? If so, how much is harmful?
Caffeine appears to decrease calcium absorption by a small amount. Drinking more than three cups of coffee every day may be harmful to bone health.
Reducing weight can cure bone health-related problems. Is it true?
The benefits of weight loss usually are greater than the risks. But, sometimes, it proves to be harmful, especially when people try to lose the extra pounds quickly. There are steps you should take to protect your bones while losing weight, namely, exercising regularly, having a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, limiting the alcohol intake, and setting a realistic target for your weight loss. You can also refer to a doctor to measure your bone density, if required.
I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. How will homeopathy help?
Homeopathic medicines are natural and without any side-effects, and they help to relieve pain and promote bone healing. Our medicines also reduce the tendency of fracture by improving and enhancing the absorption of nutrients by the bone.
Homeopathic medicines help to trigger the uptake of nutrients by the bones and enhance bone repair. They also reduce drug dependency, improve general strength and vitality, thus improving the quality of life.
Homeopathic medicines help to trigger the uptake of nutrients by the bones and enhance bone repair. They also reduce drug dependency, improve general strength and vitality, thus improving the quality of life.
Myths and facts
- If I have osteoporosis, it means I am not getting enough calcium.
There are many factors that can contribute to osteoporosis, one of which is not getting enough calcium. However, people who get enough calcium from foods or supplements can still be at risk of bone loss due to other reasons, such as having a family history of osteoporosis, not exercising, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, not getting enough vitamin D and having certain medical conditions or taking certain medicines that can cause bone loss. While getting the recommended amounts of calcium, vitamin D and exercise each day do not always prevent osteoporosis, taking medical help to diagnose the exact condition is always advised. - Men are less prone to osteoporosis.
Although osteoporosis is more common in women, at least one in eight men over 50 years of age has the disease. It is also estimated that by 2050, the worldwide incidence of hip fracture in men is projected to increase by 310%, and by 240% in women. - Vitamin A causes bone loss. Therefore, one should avoid eating orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as carrots.
This is not true. Eating foods rich in vitamin A is found to be healthy and may improve your bone health, too. You should definitely not start avoiding eating these fruits and vegetables; but, yes, try to limit you intake. - Drinking enough milk is enough to decrease the risks of developing osteoporosis.
Well, consuming dairy foods is definitely a good start. However, this is not enough to prevent your bones from weakening. You also need to eat a diet that is healthful overall, because research has proven that many nutrients besides calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health.