Osteoporosis is the generalized reduction in bone density that occurs when the rate of bone resorption exceeds the bone formation. It is one of the most common bone diseases. There is increased risk of fracture.
The prevalence increases with age. There is a reduction in bone mass per unit volume.
Causes of osteoporosis
Senile osteoporosis. After the age of 40 years, there is a progressive decrease in the bone matrix. Reduce food intake, protein insufficiency, and insufficiency of sex hormones are the contributory factors for senile osteoporosis.
Prolonged recumbency due to immobilization or paralysis also cause osteoporosis.
Rickets and scurvy are another cause.
Hyperparathyroidism.
Cancer deposits.
Multiple myelomas.
Leukemia.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Drugs-like corticosteroids, sedatives, alcohol excess.
Chronic liver diseases.
Malabsorption.
The main pathological feature is the reduced bone mass of the entire skeleton, especially of the spine. The vertebrae become spongy and soft and compression fracture occurs after a minor trauma.
Clinical features.
More common in women after 40 years.
At first asymptomatic later starts as generalized backache.
Fracture can effect at any bone, but the most common sites are at the forearm (Colles’ fracture), spine and hip.
Investigations
X ray-generalized rarefaction of the entire skeleton
Ground glass appearance of the spine in x ray.
Bone-density test
Treatment
Increase physical activity.
Supplement with calcium, vitamin D and protein diet.
Spinal extension exercises.
Homeopathic treatment
The principle in the treatment of osteoporosis is to prevent further deterioration of bone and helps the patient to lead a ‘fracture free’ life.
Since ageing is a contributory factor for osteoporosis, restoration to normalcy by homeopathic medicine is impossible. However, it can help the patient by reducing the distressing signs and symptoms and also homeopathy helps them to arrest the prognosis of osteoporosis. Medicines like Calc carb, Calc flour, Ruta, Symphytum, Bellis per, etc are the main remedies. Besides these miasmatic remedies like Acid flour, Syphyllinum is also can be given as intercurrent.
