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What is bone density?
Your bones are made of living tissue. To keep them strong, your body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone. But when more bone is broken down than replaced, you lose bone density, also called bone mass. Bone density is a measure of the amount of calcium and other minerals in bone. Bones containing more minerals are denser. They tend to be stronger and less likely to fracture (break).
Losing bone density can weaken your bones. In some cases, it can lead to osteoporosis. This is a disease which can make your bones more likely to break. Low bone density that is not low enough to be osteoporosis is sometimes called osteopenia.
What can make you lose bone density?Your bones become less dense as you age. Other factors can also make you more likely to lose bone mass, such as:
- A family history of osteoporosis or low bone mass
- Not developing good bone mass when you are young
- Having certain medical conditions, such as:
- Endocrine diseases
- Certain digestive diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain types of cancer
- HIV
- Anorexia nervosa, a type of eating disorder
- Taking certain medicines, such as:
- Corticosteroids
- Proton pump inhibitors (which treat GERD)
- Medicines to treat epilepsy
- Smoking tobacco
- Long-term heavy alcohol use
- Physical inactivity or prolonged periods of bedrest
Not everyone who has low bone mass gets osteoporosis, but they are at higher risk for developing it.
Is there a test to measure your bone health?A bone density scan is the best way to measure your bone health. It compares your bone density, or mass, to that of a healthy person who is the same age and sex as you are. It can show:
- Whether you have low bone density
- Whether you have osteoporosis, a disease that makes your bones weak
- Your risk for breaking bones
- Whether your osteoporosis treatment is working
To help keep your bones strong and help prevent osteoporosis, the best thing to do is to eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. Getting regular physical activity, limiting alcohol, and not smoking can also help. In some cases, your health care provider may prescribe medicines to prevent osteoporosis.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Compare
ARNICA MONTANA
The dried flower-heads of Arnica montana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A perennial of Siberia and the cooler parts of Europe; also found in... / ...e of typhoid and other fevers, and in lobar pneumonia. In such conditions arnica is most useful and compares well with strychnine or atropine, or phosphorus, none of which are so safe as arnica. Arnic...1
The dried flower-heads of Arnica montana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Compositae). A perennial of Siberia and the cooler parts of Europe; also found in... / ...e of typhoid and other fevers, and in lobar pneumonia. In such conditions arnica is most useful and compares well with strychnine or atropine, or phosphorus, none of which are so safe as arnica. Arnic...1
CANTHARIS
The dried beetles, Cantharis vesicatoria (Linné), De Geer. (Ord. Coleoptera.) Southern Europe. Dose, 1 grain. Common Name: Spanish Fly; Synonym:... / ...nd camphor, and large draughts of water. Therapy.External. As a vesicant cantharis acts kindly as compared with some other agents. It is sometimes used as a derivative in deepseated inflammation, to...1
The dried beetles, Cantharis vesicatoria (Linné), De Geer. (Ord. Coleoptera.) Southern Europe. Dose, 1 grain. Common Name: Spanish Fly; Synonym:... / ...nd camphor, and large draughts of water. Therapy.External. As a vesicant cantharis acts kindly as compared with some other agents. It is sometimes used as a derivative in deepseated inflammation, to...1
COCAERYTH5
The dried leaves of Erythroxylon Coca, Lamarck, and its varieties. (Nat. Ord. Erythroxylaceae.) South American Andes-Peru, Bolivia, and Chili.... / ...by coca probably through the obtunding power of cocaine upon the nerve filaments of the stomach. As compared with cocaine this power is feeble, as is coca in all its effects, still there is sufficient...1
The dried leaves of Erythroxylon Coca, Lamarck, and its varieties. (Nat. Ord. Erythroxylaceae.) South American Andes-Peru, Bolivia, and Chili.... / ...by coca probably through the obtunding power of cocaine upon the nerve filaments of the stomach. As compared with cocaine this power is feeble, as is coca in all its effects, still there is sufficient...1
EUCALYPTUSEUAN12
...obar pneumonia are conditions in which it is of very great value. Agents of this type, which may be compared to the turpentines, and which influence the respiratory membranes, usually are valuable for...... if there are exhaustive discharges, but it is never without some beneficial power. It is not to be compared to cinchona medication in the ordinary run of malarial fevers. Used according to indication...1
...obar pneumonia are conditions in which it is of very great value. Agents of this type, which may be compared to the turpentines, and which influence the respiratory membranes, usually are valuable for...... if there are exhaustive discharges, but it is never without some beneficial power. It is not to be compared to cinchona medication in the ordinary run of malarial fevers. Used according to indication...1
GENTIANAGEBI5
The dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gentianaceae.) Common in the mountainous regions of southern and central Europe.... / ...ction and Therapy.Gentian is one of the best of the simple bitter tonics, for the action of which compare Calumba. In large doses, however, it is capable of deranging digestion, with the production ... / ...gastritis and intestinal catarrh. The infusion and the compound tincture of gentian may be used alone or as vehicles for other medicines.1
The dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gentianaceae.) Common in the mountainous regions of southern and central Europe.... / ...ction and Therapy.Gentian is one of the best of the simple bitter tonics, for the action of which compare Calumba. In large doses, however, it is capable of deranging digestion, with the production ... / ...gastritis and intestinal catarrh. The infusion and the compound tincture of gentian may be used alone or as vehicles for other medicines.1
HAMAMELIS
The leaves, bark and twigs of Hamamelis virginiana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hamamelidaceae), collected in the autumn. Common in the United States.... / ...e specific medicine is an elegant and heavy distillate, carrying a large proportion of the oil, as compared to the ordinary distillate, and is much to be preferred where a bland and soothing yet astr...1
The leaves, bark and twigs of Hamamelis virginiana, Linné (Nat. Ord. Hamamelidaceae), collected in the autumn. Common in the United States.... / ...e specific medicine is an elegant and heavy distillate, carrying a large proportion of the oil, as compared to the ordinary distillate, and is much to be preferred where a bland and soothing yet astr...1
HELONIASHELON
The rhizome of Chamaelirium luteum, Gray (Helonias dioica, Pursh)-(Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). Abundant in woodlands, meadows, and wet places in some... / ...ness with discharge. Action and Therapy.Tonic, diuretic, and vermifuge. (For relation to Aletris, compare Aletris.) Helonias is a valuable uterine tonic, specifically adapted to uterine weakness in ... / ...It is also said to relieve the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, to prevent miscarriages, and to correct gastric complications of albuminuria.1
The rhizome of Chamaelirium luteum, Gray (Helonias dioica, Pursh)-(Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). Abundant in woodlands, meadows, and wet places in some... / ...ness with discharge. Action and Therapy.Tonic, diuretic, and vermifuge. (For relation to Aletris, compare Aletris.) Helonias is a valuable uterine tonic, specifically adapted to uterine weakness in ... / ...It is also said to relieve the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, to prevent miscarriages, and to correct gastric complications of albuminuria.1
LYCOPUSLYSH2
The whole herb Lycopus virginicus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Common in shady, moist and boggy places throughout the United States. Dose, 1 to... / ...favored by it, and blood-making and nutrition improved. Upon the cardio-vascular system it has been compared in action to digitalis, though it is far less powerful than that drug, and besides is non-p... / ...in simple diarrhea (lientery), dysenteric diarrhea, and especially in the diarrhea of phthisis, and the gastric disturbances of the drunkard.1
The whole herb Lycopus virginicus, Linné (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Common in shady, moist and boggy places throughout the United States. Dose, 1 to... / ...favored by it, and blood-making and nutrition improved. Upon the cardio-vascular system it has been compared in action to digitalis, though it is far less powerful than that drug, and besides is non-p... / ...in simple diarrhea (lientery), dysenteric diarrhea, and especially in the diarrhea of phthisis, and the gastric disturbances of the drunkard.1
PODOPHYLLUM
...f the dose be large to occasion debilitating hydro-catharsis. Very little tormina is caused by them compared with the thoroughness of their action. This may be prevented, in a measure, by administrati......is useful, though there are some conditions where the former gives better results than the latter. (Compare to Resina Podophylli). These conditions we will briefly notice. It is conceded that as an al...1
...f the dose be large to occasion debilitating hydro-catharsis. Very little tormina is caused by them compared with the thoroughness of their action. This may be prevented, in a measure, by administrati......is useful, though there are some conditions where the former gives better results than the latter. (Compare to Resina Podophylli). These conditions we will briefly notice. It is conceded that as an al...1
STRAMONIUM (Datura spp.)
The dried leaves of Datura Stramonium, Linné, or of Datura Tatula, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). A common weed everywhere in the United States,... / ...inal pain, tic douloureux, sciatica, and the pains of chronic rheumatism, it is useful but does not compare with either belladonna or hyoscyamus, either of which are incapable of subduing severe pain.... / ...meets two classes of nervous and mental disordersthe ment1
The dried leaves of Datura Stramonium, Linné, or of Datura Tatula, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). A common weed everywhere in the United States,... / ...inal pain, tic douloureux, sciatica, and the pains of chronic rheumatism, it is useful but does not compare with either belladonna or hyoscyamus, either of which are incapable of subduing severe pain.... / ...meets two classes of nervous and mental disordersthe ment1
THUJA
The branchlets and leaves of Thuja occidentalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cupressaceae). Indigenous to Canada and the United States, on the rocky borders... / ...r bulging naevi, and his once famous method of curing hydrocele with it is now little practiced. As compared with tincture of iodine or with carbolic acid it is less painful, but unlike the latter fre... / ...when home treatment is carried out, and constitutional remedies administered when conditions warrant them. Internal. Thuja is stimulant, subas1
The branchlets and leaves of Thuja occidentalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cupressaceae). Indigenous to Canada and the United States, on the rocky borders... / ...r bulging naevi, and his once famous method of curing hydrocele with it is now little practiced. As compared with tincture of iodine or with carbolic acid it is less painful, but unlike the latter fre... / ...when home treatment is carried out, and constitutional remedies administered when conditions warrant them. Internal. Thuja is stimulant, subas1
USTILAGO
A parasitic fungus, Ustilago segetum Bull (Ustilago Maydis), developed on the fruit of Zea Mays, Linné, or Indian Corn (Nat. Ord.... / ...s it acts as an abortifacient and produces a shedding of hair, hoofs and horns. Its action has been compared to that of ergot and nux vomica combined. Therapy.Ellingwood is authority for the stateme... / ...and flabby enlarged uterus, and full toneless perineal and vaginal tissues. It is little used, but undoubtedly could be restudied with advantage.1
A parasitic fungus, Ustilago segetum Bull (Ustilago Maydis), developed on the fruit of Zea Mays, Linné, or Indian Corn (Nat. Ord.... / ...s it acts as an abortifacient and produces a shedding of hair, hoofs and horns. Its action has been compared to that of ergot and nux vomica combined. Therapy.Ellingwood is authority for the stateme... / ...and flabby enlarged uterus, and full toneless perineal and vaginal tissues. It is little used, but undoubtedly could be restudied with advantage.1
VISCUM
The leaves and branches of Viscum flavescens, Pursh (Nat. Ord. Loranthaceae). A parasitic plant found upon forest trees, especially the oaks in... / ...a, and inability to lie down. It is also asserted to possess parturient properties, but they do not compare with those of ergot, and the drug is almost never used for these purposes. It should be rese...1
The leaves and branches of Viscum flavescens, Pursh (Nat. Ord. Loranthaceae). A parasitic plant found upon forest trees, especially the oaks in... / ...a, and inability to lie down. It is also asserted to possess parturient properties, but they do not compare with those of ergot, and the drug is almost never used for these purposes. It should be rese...1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.