When the bones lose their density, become more brittle because of the loss of minerals (mostly calcium), and have an increasingly greater tendency to break, we call the condition osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis is the most common skeletal disorder in the world, affecting nearly 20 million Americans - eight times as many women as men-- and each year contributing to more than 80 percent of the two million fractures of the elderly and nearly all of the 200,000 hip fractures of women over the age of 50(1)  Contrary to popular belief, a fall is not the cause of all the fractures; in many cases it's the fracture that causes the fall.  The complications of hip fractures are one of the primary causes of death in older women.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Initially, osteoporosis has no symptoms.  But after the condition has progressed, the signs may include "dowager's hump," loss of height, abdominal protrusion, frequent fractures, and sudden back pain (which is often caused by vertebral compression fractures).  Back pain is worse when the person afflicted with it is sitting or standing and is relieved by lying down.  Coughing, sneezing, and straining to move the bowels can cause terrible pain.

High-Risk Types

alloggi scontati ManilaOsteoporosis seems to affect certain women more than others.   The most often affected are underweight or small-boned women; Caucasian and Asian women; and women experiencing either early natural menopause or a hysterectomy with ovaries removed before menopause.  Other contributing factors are a sedentary lifestyle; smoking; high caffeine or alcohol intake; a diet deficient in calcium, vitamin C, or protein; and certain medications (discussed below).  However, some researchers feel that calcium figures less in bone loss than other substances such as magnesium and HCL (hydrochloric acid).

luxury hotels in BremenDiet and Exercise

Vegetarians have stronger, denser bones than meat eaters and lose less bone density as they age.  In one study the bone density of vegetarians in their seventies was higher than that of meat eaters in their fifties.  Red meat is rich in phosphorous, and a diet that has more phosphorus than calcium can create a calcium loss.  Phosphorus is a major component of processed foods, including white bread and cola drinks, and certain foods such as potatoes and meat.  Excess salt in the diet can also cause the loss of calcium.

As we have said above, lack of exercise has been linked with osteoporosis.  Studies show that regular exercise, including walking (which also exposes the body to sunlight for the production of vitamin D), increases bone mass or density.

Hysterectomy/Medications/Caffeine

Although osteoporosis affects only 25 percent of women after natural menopause, it occurs in 80 percent of women after a surgical menopause, or hysterectomy.  This is a strong reason for seeking second and third opinions when a hysterectomy is recommended.

Long-term use of heparin, Methotrexate, many hormone therapies (such as cortisone), some anticonvulsants (phenytoin and barbiturates), and drugs containing aluminum, phosphate binders, and heavy metals (that interfere with body chemistry) can all cause loss of bone density or osteoporosis.

Heavy caffeine consumption may increase the risk of osteoporosis.  Volunteers in a study who drank more than two-and-a-half to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily, or twice that much tea, experienced a 69 percent greater risk of osteoporosis than did those who abstained from caffeine.  Those drinking more than three-and-a half cups of coffee or seven cups of tea appear to have increased their risk by 82 percent.  In animal studies caffeine has been found to increase urinary calcium excretion.(2)

Other Causes of Osteoporosis

There are a number of endocrine abnormalities that may cause osteoporosis, especially in the young or middle-aged.  These include an overactive thyroid or parathyroid; overactive adrenals; chronic illnesses that cause prolonged bedrest; malnutrition (including anorexia nervosa); and bone marrow tumors, such as multiple myeloma.

The Medical Approach

The standard medical approach to osteoporosis is limited.   According to one researcher: "True reversal of osteoporosis has [been proven] unobtainable by conventional methods." (3)

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), utilizing small doses of estrogen, may be effective in slowing the rate of bone breakdown.  However, it cannot create bone renewal, and it may carry such serious long-term effects as an increased risk of breast cancer.

Fluoride Treatments

Though fluoride treatment for osteoporosis has had its supporters, this form of treatment is regarded by many as less than useless.

A letter in Chemical and Engineering News, July 30, 1990, is headed, "HIP FRACTURES TIED TO FLUORIDATION, POVERTY."  The letter goes on to say:

Alzheimer's Disease

It was the German physician Alois Alzheimer who first identified this degenerative disease of the brain in a 51-year-old patient.  The year was 1906.  Despite the intervening years and much research its cause remains a mystery to standard medicine; it cannot be prevented, treated, or cured; and it lays waste to the lives of about 100,000 Americans every year.

Although Alzheimer's can occur earlier in life, more than two-thirds of its victims are 65 or older, with 25 percent age 85 or older.

In Alzheimer's we see the tragic, irreversible death of the mind, Names, dates, places lose their meaning and context.  But they do so in an odd way:

Eventually, control over bodily functions disappears; the victim slowly descends into coma and death.  The course of the disease averages eight years, but its duration has been seen to range from three to as long as twenty-five years.   Autopsies of victims reveal similar brain tissue deterioration and reduced levels of certain brain chemicals.

the tragedy of Alzheimer's affects the family and friends as they watch their loved ones slip away from reality.

Alzheimer's is a confusing disease to diagnose.  It shares symptoms with depression, min-strokes, alcoholism, anemia, thyroid disease, and vitamin deficiency.  In addition, several classes of drugs: antiasthma, anti-Parkinson's, antihypertensives, antidepressants, and sedatives can cause the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's. 

But please be aware that a tendency to forget things on occasion does not mean that a person has Alzheimer's.

Chiropractic Perspective

Chiropractic care is essential for the elderly, especially those suffering from osteoporosis or Alzheimer's disease.  Chiropractic care, which relieves the body of spinal nerve stress or vertebral subluxations, can help improve a person's chances of healing him/herself by permitting the body to heal at greater efficiency.  Osteoporosis sufferers can, in most cases, receive and benefit from chiropractic care.

Regarding Alzheimer's, some researchers believe that spinal structural imbalance can be a precipitating cause of Alzheimer's.  According to Dr. Lowell Ward of Long Beach, California, spinal imbalance puts pressure on the spinal cord and can squeeze and damage the lower brain or brainstem, affecting brain function.   He has reported many cases of Alzheimer's reversal.(10)

However, a recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine (April 10, 1986) mentions studies that showed that "serious head injuries had occurred up to 35 years before the onset of Alzheimer's disease in 15 to 20 percent of the patients" as compared to 5 percent in the control group.

Alternative care should be explored especially in light of standard medicine's failure with these conditions.  Nutritionists, homeopaths, exercise physiologists, acupuncturists, various bodywork disciplines, and others should be consulted by anyone suffering from osteoporosis or Alzheimer's disease.

REFERENCES:

(1) Kaplan, F. "Osteoporosis, Pathophysiology and Prevention." Clinical Symposia Vol. 39 No. 1 West Caldwell, NJ: Ciba-Geigy 1987, p. 16.

(2) Another Challenge to Coffee's safety ... Science News, October 20, 1990, p. 253.

(3) Lee, J., "Osteoporosis Reversal,  the Role of Progesterone." International Clinical Nutrition Review (July 1990)

(4) Mead, M., "Ask East West." The East West Journal. March, 1990, p. 30.

(5) Lee, J. Letter to the Editor, Science News, March 1990.

(6) LK Riggs, Effects of Fluoride Treatment in the Fracture Rate in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis, New England Journal of Medicine, March 22, 1990.

(7) Newsweek, June 18, 1990, p. 49.

(8) The Doctor's People, December, 1989, p. 2.

(9) Newsweek. (See above note 6.)

(10) Ward, L. author's lecture notes, Long Beach, CA Jan. 15, 1987.

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Information courtesy of Koren Publications
Copyright 1991.by Tedd Koren, D.C.
Koren Publications All Rights Reserved