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An Ayurvedic Perspective
By Jatinda Ahuja
Introduction
The word osteoporosis simply means “porous bones”. Bones become porous, or less dense, with age. Bone is a
dynamic living tissue; it is constantly being broken down and rebuilt, a process known as remodelling. As we age,
the mineral rich, internal part of bone breaks down faster than it is rebuilt. It should not be treated as disease unless
you experience one or following multiple symptoms over a period of time:
! Bone fracture,
! A gradual loss of height.
! A rounding of the shoulders.
! Gum inflammation and loosening of the teeth.
! Acute lower backache.
! Swelling of a wrist after a minor fall or injury.
! Trouble with nail, hair, teeth, gums, joints, or back;
! Nocturnal leg cramps,
! Rheumatoid arthritis,
! Restless behaviour,
Persons with osteoporosis suffer from a loss in bone mass and bone strength at a higher rate than expected with
aging. Their bones become weak and brittle which makes them more prone to fracture. Any bone can be affected
by osteoporosis, but the hips, wrists and spine are the most common sites. Peak bone mass is reached between
the ages of 25 and 35 years. After 35, bone mass is stable until, in women, it starts to drop with menopause. 6-18 %
of women between 25-34 years of age have “abnormally low” bone density. Hip-fracture rates for white women in
the US and Britain begin to rise abruptly between the ages of 40-44 much earlier than menopause begins. This
drop occurs more slowly in males.