5 tips for improving bone health

5 tips for improving bone health

Bone health is a crucial part of maintaining the overall health and quality of the body. It helps keep the body upright, provides support and structure, and protects all the organs inside. There are some ways to keep bones healthy and prevent damage. This includes various tips like exercising, eating the right foods, following a healthy lifestyle, and more. Let’s explore these points to understand how to improve bone health.

Eat more calcium
99% of the calcium in the body is found in the bones and teeth, and every day there is a loss of calcium through processes like sweating, urine, feces, hair, nail growth, and skin. Since the body cannot produce calcium, it must be consumed outside. Always include calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese in your meals daily. Powdered milk is available, which can be added to your morning cup of coffee or tea. If you are deficient in calcium, doctors may suggest taking calcium supplements which can help you improve bone health.

More Vitamin D
This is an essential vitamin in the body concerning calcium because if you are deficient in vitamin D, no amount of external calcium consumption will be helpful. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb the calcium eaten by you. However, getting enough morning sunlight is essential to get vitamin D. If you are deficient, a doctor can also ask you to take vitamin D supplements.

Exercise regularly
While physical movement is excellent for reducing the risk of heart disease and overall health, this also includes bone and muscle health. Just as exercise strengthens the muscles over time, it also helps to make and keep the bones stronger for longer, as bone is a living tissue. Weight-bearing exercises and strength training exercises are known to be better than doing just cardio exercises. Some examples of weight-bearing exercises include running, dancing, tennis, badminton, soccer, stair climbing, and similar activities. Strength training will include lifting weights, using weight machines, push-ups, and similar activities.

More Vitamin K
This vitamin has been known for its ability to help blood clot, but research has suggested that it is also helpful in controlling bone metabolism. It helps synthesize a bone protein called osteocalcin, which is essential for maintaining bone strength. Vitamin K2 can be found in grass-fed meats, cheeses, fermented products like fermented soybean (tempeh, for example, or natto), and other dairy products. Eating more green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts is also essential, which contain vitamin K1. Getting vitamin K through vegetables is easier and faster for the body, so if you prefer, you can increase your green veggies intake to ensure you get enough nutrients.

Limit caffeine intake
The studies remain inconclusive, but some of them suggest that there could be a link between high consumption of caffeine and osteoporosis. Research suggests that drinking too much caffeine can affect and interfere with how calcium is absorbed in the body, but to what extent it affects the bones remains debatable. However, drinking too much caffeine is not advisable, so be cautious of the quantity.

Consult with your doctor to understand if you are at risk of developing bone-related issues and address them immediately to avoid future complications. Also, consult on everyday health tips to keep your bone density optimal.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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Leukemia – Causes, warning signs, and management

Leukemia is a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system and the bone marrow - the tissue responsible for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that support and promote immunity. Leukemia starts in the bone marrow and can quickly spread to other organs. Cancer compromises immunity, making it hard for the body to fight infections. Here's a brief overview of leukemia, its causes, warning signs, and how to manage it. Risk factors and causes Leukemia develops slowly and progresses gradually, triggered by several risk factors. Repeated exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation during radiation therapy for treating other underlying health conditions Chemotherapy Exposure to strong petrochemical fumes The risk is higher for people who have immediate relatives with leukemia.  Down syndrome is also a significant factor that increases the chances of leukemia. Many unhealthy lifestyle choices and habits also increase the risk of blood cancers. Signs and symptoms There are five primary types of leukemia, so the signs and symptoms will vary depending on the type, severity, and stage of the condition. Common overlapping symptoms, however, include the following- Nosebleeds Nosebleeds happen when the blood vessels in the nasal cavity burst and result in an overflow. Persistent nosebleeds are a sign of underlying leukemia. Frequent infections The blood disorder also compromises the body's immune system making a person vulnerable to frequent infections that persist. One might also develop flu-like symptoms like night sweats and chills. Fever, fatigue, and weakness Developing fevers with chills frequently, experiencing fatigue without doing any strenuous activity, and struggling to perform routine tasks due to weakness are all signs of developing blood disorders. Red spots on the skin Commonly referred to as petechiae, these tiny red spots develop under the membrane of the skin, indicating internal bleeding. Easily bruising or bleeding with the smallest of injuries is also a sign of developing blood disorder. Other symptoms Bone pain, swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, and muscle cramps are all common indicators of this disorder. Management Once the type of leukemia and its stage is confirmed, health experts will suggest a combination of therapies to prevent cell damage. Prescriptions Doctors will suggest a combination of prescription treatments depending on the type, stage, and severity of the cancer. Therapies Chemotherapy involves the use of chemicals to destroy cancerous cells. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to eliminate cancer-causing cells or prevent their growth. Targeted therapy and CAR-T cell therapy are modifications done to genes in the body to fight mutation and prevent cancer from spreading. Stem cell transplant Stem cells taken from eligible donors are transplanted into the affected person's bone marrow to replace the cancerous cells. Besides these treatments, healthcare professionals will also suggest a combination of palliative care treatments to improve outlook and cope with the therapy. Note that the outlook for managing leukemia will vary from patient to patient. For example, some people can achieve a state of remission where the cancer stops spreading rapidly. However, others might require aggressive treatment to manage even the early stages depending on the type of leukemia.

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