Ayurvedic Treatment in Kerala for Osteoporosis
Read
UNDERSTANDING OSTEOPOROSIS
All of us want to be independent for as long as we live. But osteoporosis, if left untreated, could become a threat to our mobility and independence - it's one such condition which remains silent and does not show up as symptoms until much later, by when it will have already begun to affect our confidence. Even though osteoporosis is most often related to ageing, you do not have to accept it passively or curtail your joys and live in constant fear of falls and fractures. Neither do you have to make a compromise and take medicines or hormones which may have undesirable side effects. With a course of ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis in Kerala, you can nourish and strengthen your bones once again, reduce your risk of falls and fractures and regain your strength and confidence.
What is osteopenia?
When we are young and healthy, we run, fall, play, take hits and still our bones remain mostly fine, because in that age, our bones are hard and strong and they don't break so easily. It keeps us confident and we move fast. But as we age, our bone cells die faster and the body makes new cells slower, so our bones gradually become lighter and weaker. This weakening of the bone and the loss of bone matter either as a result of ageing or as a result of some disease conditions like diabetes or some hormonal imbalances could gradually advance to osteopenia, which may be diagnosed with a bone mineral density test. If you are undergoing ayurvedic treatment in Kerala at this stage, you have maximum chance of regaining your bone strength.
What is osteoporosis?
When osteopenia is not treated in time, it may lead to further bone loss, causing the bone tissue to become almost porous due to its heavy loss of cells. This easily breakable state of the bone called osteoporosis, increases the risk of fractures to such an extent that even a minor fall or in some advanced cases, even a forceful sneeze can result in fractures. While osteoporosis may affect any bone, vertebral bones, hip bone and bones of wrists are the most prone.
What causes osteoporosis?
Bone cells die fast: To an extent, loss of bone matter and subsequent loss of bone density is a normal part of ageing. One of the explanations for this is that, as we age there is a significant drop in the level of sex hormones like oestrogen and testosterone in our body which result in an accelerated rate of bone cell death. Many women experience bone weakness for the first time after menopause when their oestrogen levels suddenly drop. A second reason is that as we age, the vata dosha in our body increases. Vata dosha has the quality of drying up body tissues including bone cells, thus accelerating cell death.
New bone cell formation slows down: Bone density may also reduce as a result of slower new bone cell formation. This kind of bone depletion happens when there is poor nourishment of our tissues - an improper diet over a long time as in malnutrition, extreme dieting, poor dietary quality, heavy use of alcohol, smoking and improper metabolism (as in some diseases like diabetes, thyroid hormone imbalances, malabsorption syndrome etc) lead to poor availability of minerals like calcium and phosphorus that are required for new bone cell formation. Apart from these, various genetic factors, lack of physical exercise, a history of repeated / multiple fractures and the long term use of some medications like corticosteroids is found to cause osteoporosis. Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for osteoporosis starts with a thorough analysis of the various factors that could be leading to osteoporosis in your case
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
What are the chief therapeutic goals in the Kerala ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis treatment in Kerala aims -
To reduce the rate of bone cell death
To support new bone tissue formation and improve bone strength
To maintain good bone health and reduce the risk of fracture
How does ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis help?
Ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis includes ayurvedic internal medicines, ayurvedic supplements, external therapies using oils and herbs as well as a balanced and nutritious diet.
Improves bone mineral density: Improper metabolism could be the main reason for the reduced availability of essential nutrients to the bone tissue. With suitable internal medicines ( including medicines containing the natural form of calcium ) and a nutritious diet, digestion is corrected and the metabolic fire is ignited to increase bone nutrition, improve availability of minerals like calcium and phosphorus for new bone cell formation and improve bone mineral density.
Reduces rate of bone cell death: Aggravated vata dosha is is an important reason for increased rate of bone cell death as seen in old age and in some disease conditions. Therefore suitable panchakarma procedures like virechana (purgation) or vasti (oil or decoction enemas) are employed to restore vata balance and arrest the progression of osteoporosis, thus preventing fractures.
Relieves pain: Several external therapies like abhyanga, kizhis, medicated paste applications, pizhichil etc. done with vata pacifying oils and herbs are used along with suitable internal medicines to relieve pain associated with osteoporosis.
How successful is the ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for osteoporosis?
Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for osteoporosis is an extensive program that requires 15 to 28 days depending on your age and other factors like other coexisting diseases. Taking ayurvedic treatment in the initial stage (commonly called osteopenia, a stage where the bone loss has just started and has not yet reached osteoporosis stage) is the most beneficial and has the best outcome. But even if the condition is diagnosed late, ayurvedic treatment works effectively as it reduces the risk of bone fractures by slowing down the bone loss. In short, regardless of the stage, ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis prevents further worsening and complications of osteoporosis with its holistic approach
AYURVEDIC DIET AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE
What is the role of diet in the ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis?
A diet that is nourishing to the bones and at the same time pacifies vata dosha is ideal in osteoporosis. Foods that are fresh, homemade, warm, sweet and mildly oily are generally recommended in osteoporosis rather than cold and dry foods. Dairy products like milk and ghee are nourishing and vata subsiding in nature and act as a calcium supplements too. Meat soups, fish like sardine, salmon, sword fish etc., eggs and sesame can be included in your diet as they do not aggravate vata and are rich sources of calcium. Women around menopause age should include fresh soyabean, lentils and legumes in their diet as they contain plant oestrogen. Make sure to include green leafy vegetables like spinach, turnip greens etc. daily. Stick to a low salt diet as intake of more salt leads to expulsion of calcium along with sodium through urine. Spicy fried items, breads, biscuits, processed food and soft drinks should be avoided completely. Before your discharge from the ayurveda hospital in Kerala, sit down with your ayurvedic physician to discuss the dietary modifications that you need to make and follow.
What is the role of lifestyle in the ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis?
Living with osteoporosis does not mean you have to follow a sedentary lifestyle to prevent falls and fractures. Moderate levels of exercise like walking that does not put excessive strain on your bones could be done safely. A daily morning walk ensures exposure to sunlight too, so that your body can produce enough Vitamin D. Avoid skipping meals and dieting as these are hindrances to proper nutrition and also leads to vata aggravation. Do not indulge in vata aggravating factors like day sleep, being awake during night, suppression of natural urges, exposure to cold weather etc. Do not smoke, as the toxins in tobacco and cigarettes can block nourishment to bone.The chance of fractures increases with activities like lifting heavy weights etc. and hence should be avoided. Make sure you follow all lifestyle advice from your treating physician at the ayurvedic centre in Kerala so that you get the best results out of your ayurveda treatment for osteoporosis.
SUMMARY
Osteopenia and osteoporosis are two very common conditions today. Even though most often associated with ageing, these conditions can also be the result of various other medical problems like diabetes, hormonal imbalances etc or as the result of a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Once affected by osteoporosis, patients tend to live in the fear of falls and fractures and limit their lives to familiar environments. Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala for osteoporosis is extremely effective in increasing bone mineral density and improving bone health, especially when treatment is taken in the early stages. When taken in time, ayurvedic treatment prevents further worsening and possible complications like repeated fractures and deformities. Ayurveda treatment in Kerala thus offers osteoporosis patients a far improved quality of life and the ability to go forward with confidence.
For individual medical consultation and treatment-related enquiries, contact us
FAQs
Can osteoporosis be reversed completely with ayurvedic treatment?
Very early stages diagnosed with very mild loss of bone density can be reversed with ayurvedic treatment. In cases with considerable loss of bone density, arresting further progression and stabilizing the density can be done with ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis.
Does ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis require lifelong medications?
No. You may be given follow-up medicines to continue for about 3 to 4 months after your ayurvedic treatment in Kerala. After that, following proper diet and lifestyle as advised by your physician helps you sustain the benefits of the treatment and lead a normal life.
Is the ayurvedic treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia the same?
Although bone loss is the major issue in both these conditions, the severity being different, the treatment approach also varies. Early stage osteopenia can be managed with internal medicines alone and if required, mild therapies too. But if the condition has progressed to osteoporosis, in-patient admission at an ayurvedic hospital in Kerala and extensive treatment are required for good results.