My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
If you have osteoporosis, you're at an increased risk of developing vertebral fractures. The vertebrae in your spine are under a heavy load, and they become prone to fracturing when weakened by osteoporosis. Fractures can occur suddenly after seemingly harmless actions like bending over to pick something up off of the ground. They can lead to chronic lower back pain as well as a change in the shape of your spine—some people with fractured vertebrae will end up developing a hunchback.
When you have osteoporosis, it's important to recognize the symptoms of fractured vertebrae and begin treatment as soon as possible if you think that you may have fractured one. Here's what you need to watch out for and how fractured vertebrae can be treated.
What Causes Vertebral Fractures?
Vertebral fractures are typically the result of osteoporosis. When you have osteoporosis, the bones in your body are less dense, which makes them easier to break. This applies to your vertebrae as well.
Fractures typically occur in the lower spine, which bears a significant amount of weight. Simple actions like sneezing and bending over can lead to a sudden increase in the amount of weight your vertebrae are bearing. If you have osteoporosis, this sudden increase in force sometimes causes one of your vertebrae to fracture.
How Can You Tell If You Have a Vertebral Fracture?
The most telling symptom of vertebral fractures is a change in the shape of your spine. Fractures can cause vertebrae to slightly collapse inwards. People who have several fractures can develop kyphosis (humpback) or experience a significant reduction in height.
Vertebral fractures can also cause chronic lower back pain and can limit your mobility. People with fractured vertebrae may have difficulty twisting their backs or bending forwards. However, many fractures don't cause pain at all—they only cause changes in the shape of the spine.
How Are Vertebral Fractures Treated?
If you think that you're suffering from vertebral fractures, schedule an appointment with your physician. Medical imaging such as an X-ray or a CT scan will be used to examine your vertebrae, and the images will allow your physician to easily see if a fracture has occurred in your spine.
When your physician determines that you have a fractured vertebra, they'll recommend a conservative treatment approach first. Fractures often heal on their own, although it may require a few months. Your physician will most likely ask you to wear a back brace in order to protect your vertebrae and allow them to heal. You'll also be asked to perform strength training exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles in your back and to speed healing.
Osteoporosis treatments should be considered as well. Supplements containing vitamin D and calcium can help your bones heal faster and become more dense. Strength training has benefits for osteoporosis as well, since weight-bearing exercise also increases bone density. Osteoporosis treatments both help your vertebrae heal faster and reduce the chances of another fracture occurring in your vertebrae.
If conservative treatment approaches aren't working, or if your fractured vertebrae are interfering with your daily life, surgical intervention may be required. A surgeon can perform vertebroplasty on your fractured vertebrae, in which bone cement is injected into the site of the fracture. The cement provides extra support for your spine and helps your fracture heal more quickly.
Vertebroplasty typically relieves pain quickly. Like any surgical procedure, however, there are potential complications involved. That's why conservative treatment approaches are often attempted first.
If you have osteoporosis and you're losing height, developing kyphosis, or suffering from chronic lower back pain, schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss the possibility that you may have vertebral fractures.
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