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First Aid For Fracture – How To Deal With Bone Fracture?

A bone fracture is a broken bone. It requires medical attention.

When a bone fracture has an outside force exerted upon it, like a blow or a fall, there is potential that it cannot withstand the amount of force and it breaks. That loss of integrity results in a fracture. It is important to remember that a fracture, break or crack all describe the same situation, an injury to the bone where it has been damaged.

One term is not more serious than another. Fracture, break and crack all mean the same thing. If the broken bone is the result of major trauma or injury, call 108 or your local emergency number.

The most important thing in bone healing is to provide adequate Vitamin D and calcium supplements for the new bone to form. Adequate activities as per advise of orthopaedician also improves the bone density rather than total immobilisation in late stages.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Signs and Symptoms of Bone Fracture

Broken bones hurt. The lining of the bone (periosteum) is rich with nerve endings that can cause pain when inflamed and the muscles surrounding the fracture go into spasm to prevent movement of the fracture site and this spasm may intensify the pain.

Bones have a rich blood supply and will bleed when injured. This causes swelling and the blood that seeps into the surrounding tissue also causes further pain. The discolouration due to the blood can show up as dark red or purple bruise in the area of the fracture site.

Because muscles and tendons may not be damaged, the person may be able to move the injured extremity. For that reason, just because you can move the injured area, doesn’t mean it’s not broken.

Call for Help Immediately if:

The person is unresponsive, isn’t breathing or isn’t moving. Begin CPR if there’s no breathing or heartbeat.
There is heavy bleeding.
Even gentle pressure or movement causes pain.
The limb or joint appears deformed.
The bone has pierced the skin.
The extremity of the injured arm or leg, such as a toe or finger is numb or bluish at the tip.
You suspect a bone is broken in the neck, head or back.

Till the arrival of medical personnel, follow these steps:

1. Stop any bleeding- Apply pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage, a clean cloth or a clean piece of clothing.

2. Immobilize the injured area- Don’t try to realign the bone or push a bone that’s sticking out back in. If you’ve been trained in how to splint and professional help isn’t readily available, apply a splint to the area above and below the fracture sites. Padding the splints can help reduce discomfort.

3. Apply ice packs to limit swelling and help relieve pain- Don’t apply ice directly to the skin. Wrap the ice in a towel, a piece of cloth or some other material.

4. Treat for shock- If the person feels faint or is breathing in short, rapid breaths, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk and if possible, elevate the legs.

Healing

The time required for bone healing can be affected by many factors, including the type of fracture and the patient’s age, underlying medical conditions and nutritional status. Bones may take 6 to 8 weeks to heal to a significant degree. In general, children’s bones may heal faster than those of adults.

There might be situations when a fracture shows no signs of healing for a continuous period of three months, these cases are medically called as non union and they might commonly require surgery.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

After-Care For Fractures

Typically the doctor or surgeon will use a brace, cast or other methods to keep the concerned body in place. This helps to prevent movement and promotes bone fracture healing in the right position. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders carefully to ensure the bone heals well. After the brace or cast is removed you will feel numb and stiff at the limb, don’t worry, this is normal. During the next month, be careful with your limb and do not put any undue pressure on it (exercise is typically not recommended except for supervised physiotherapy). As time passes by you will be able to use the affected part more and more, but be sure to follow up with the doctor to check that everything is progressing properly.

Also Read: 10 Bones for Strong & Healthy Bones

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Osteoporosis: All You Need To Know

The Latin word ‘Osteoporosis’ means ‘porous bones.’ As the name suggests, this is a bone condition where the bones get weak. The disease is usually more prevalent amongst the older population especially the women populace. Healthy bones typically include small space inside them that are similar to a honeycomb. In this disease, the size of these spaces increases which causes the bones to lose their strength and density. Over time, the bones also grow weaker and thinner.There is no defined age group that is more susceptible to this condition; it can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any age. People with osteoporosis are often at high risk of fractures that can occur while doing day-to-day activities such as standing, walking, etc. Affected areas include the spine, wrist bones, ribs, and hips.SymptomsOsteoporosis is a silent disease and unfortunately, does not show any early signs or warnings. Many patients do not realize that they have osteoporosis until they break a bone.However, many medical experts suggest some early signs that you should be watchful of:

Weakened grip strength
Brittle nails
Receding Gums
Sudden and severe back pain
Loss of height

Risks FactorsWhile the symptoms of this disease are pretty silent, you can keep an eye on these risk factors to better predict this disease. These entail:

Family history – If any close member of your family suffers from osteoporosis and fractures, it clearly indicates a low bone density in the family since your bone strength is generally inherited.

Lifestyle factors – Many lifestyle factors also play a crucial role in contracting this condition. These include:

Smoking
Weight – this could be both – thin as well as obese people. However, many studies suggest that hormones associated with obesity play an essential role in the development of osteoporosis
Inactivity or low levels of physical activity

PreventionEnsure that adequate bone health is maintained. This involves:

Adequate calcium levels that should be maintained
Adequate Vitamin D levels that should be maintained
Regular exercising
Avoiding alcohol and smoking

Also Read: How to Dissolve Bone Spurs Naturally?Bone density testThe bone density test is an effective test to diagnose osteoporosis. In this test, a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is done. This is a quick, painless test that measures the density of the bones in the hip and spine since these bones are most commonly affected by osteoporosis. This test gives a T-Score – a score that compares your bone density with the average of healthy young adults. A low T-score (-2.5 or lower) indicates osteoporosis.With such a score, your doctor will start osteoporosis medication and ensure adequate levels of Calcium and Vitamin D are maintained in the body. Do inform them of past allergies to medication, if any.Along with food and medication, performing the right kind of exercises can also help to support the health of the bones.Certain weight-bearing exercises that are helpful include:

Weight training – using dumbbells, resistance bands
Stairs climbing
Resistance training such as squats, pushups

However, always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise regime and start performing them only when you receive a go-ahead. Similarly, do not self-medicate and consult your doctor beforehand.Also Read: What Causes Hip Dips: A Scientific Approach to Understanding Body Shape

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

7 Poor Oral Health Hygiene Effects

How many times a day do you brush your teeth? Despite being very careful about your poor oral health effects on your dental hygiene, you may still have dangerous bacteria growing. Years ago, the idea of linking pregnancy or heart disease to dental issues would have sounded bizarre. Today, various medical studies help link serious health issues to poor oral health.

According to the American Dental Association reports, if your gum disease is as much as 40% serious, then you might be suffering from a chronic disease on top of it.

Who would have thought that the mouth could cause such serious problems to the body? A bacterium growing in the teeth makes the gums weak and prone to infections. The mouth is the gateway to the body. Hence, it is more prone and links to many chronic diseases you might be suffering from.

Here is a list of diseases that might be caused due to poor oral health effects that are bound to make you take better care of your teeth:

Diabetes

If you have some periodontal disease or have been experiencing a loss of teeth, then it is highly likely that you might be suffering from diabetes. A high blood glucose level provides an ideal condition for bacteria to thrive in the mouth and grow on gums. Fortunately, if you are able to control one, you can manage the other. So to an extent, the impact of it can be managed.

Infertility

Studies reveal that men with periodontal disease are 7 times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than men who take care of their dental health. A research done by the European society revealed that women, who do not maintain good oral hygiene, take a longer time to conceive. If suffering from gum-related diseases, then it might take more than 7 months to conceive compared to the peers who don’t suffer from anything.

Poor oral hygiene affects your mouth adversely. It causes bad breath, gum disease, decay, abscesses of a tooth, infections in the mouth and eventually tooth loss.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

Heart Disease

Gum and heart disease often go hand in hand. Individuals suffering from periodontal disease are twice as likely to suffer from a stroke or heart disease compared to a normal person due to the bacteria. These bacteria have the ability to clog the arteries, building enough pressure to cause a severe heart attack.

Also Read: Difference Between Heart Attack & Cardiac Arrest

Respiratory problems

Gum disease may increase your risk of getting respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. The periodontal bacteria can travel through the bloodstreams to the lungs and aggravate it, causing a lot of breathing trouble.

Osteoporosis

The common link between osteoporosis and periodontal disease is bone loss. Bone strength can easily be identified with an oral health check-up and that can help indicate if you are suffering from an early stage of osteoporosis. Treating Osteoporosis in such cases becomes crucial as it should be done before it can weaken the bones of the jaw of the person suffering from periodontal disease. Understanding the signs of this at an early stage is very helpful, as the patient can start to receive treatment before suffering a painful and potentially debilitating fracture.

According to CDC poor oral health is associated with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Oral disease also is associated with risk behaviors such as using tobacco and consuming sugary foods and beverages.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Obesity

Obesity increases an individual’s susceptibility by modulating the immune and inflammatory systems in a manner that predisposes to inflammatory tissue destruction and leaves an individual at greater risk of periodontitis. More bleeding on probing, deeper periodontal pockets and more bone loss were noticed in individuals with higher indicators of obesity. Thus, maintaining normal body weight and eating healthy food ensures less threat to the body along with focusing on the poor oral health effects on our body.

5 Effective Ways To Deal With Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which means porous bones, is a progressive condition in which bones become structurally weak and are more likely to fracture or break. It is sometimes called a ”silent” disease because bone loss often occurs without you knowing it. Dealing with Osteoporosis can be a tough nut to crack if not done in time.

Approximately 10 million Indians have osteoporosis and an additional 34 million have low bone mass. Your dentist may be the first one to notice if you’re suffering from osteoporosis by these signs:

Bone loss in the jaw and around teeth
Tooth loss
Loose or ill-fitting dentures
Gum disease

If you or your dentist suspects you have osteoporosis, be sure to visit your doctor as soon as possible. They will likely measure your bone mineral density using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. There are new medications available for prevention as well as treatment of osteoporosis, and early intervention is the key to managing both your oral and overall health.

However, if you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, here are a few tips to help you deal with it:

Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods that contain ample amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and other vitamins and minerals is an important first step. In addition, exercise, lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking if you smoke, adding various herbs to your diet, and practicing tai chi may be beneficial.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Get Some Vitamin D

Vitamin D enables the mineralization of newly formed osteoid tissue in bone and plays an important role in muscle function. It helps the body absorb, retain, and use calcium. Sunlight triggers vitamin-D production in the body, and dietary sources include fortified foods such as milk, orange juice, and breakfast cereals.

Oral bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are the most widely used osteoporosis medications and include alendronate (Fosamax), a pill or liquid taken either daily or weekly; risedronate (Actonel), and ibandronate (Boniva), a daily or monthly pill.
These medications are intended to prevent fractures in the spine, hips, and wrists among people with abnormal bone loss. Boniva, however, has only been proven to reduce spinal fractures. The pills can cause heartburn and upset stomach; therefore it must be taken on an empty stomach. You can’t eat for between 30 and 60 minutes after taking them, depending on the medicine.

Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men because the hormone changes that happen at menopause directly affect bone density.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Monoclonal antibodies

A new class of medication (denosumab) is a monoclonal antibody that inactivates the natural bone breakdown mechanism. In 2010, denosumab was approved for osteoporosis treatment. Sold as Prolia, it is an injection given twice a year for osteoporotic patients in whom other treatments have failed or who have severe osteoporosis and a high risk for fractures. While the drug is effective, it does have its own side effects.

Also Read: Is Tzatziki Good For You? A Research-Based Health Analysis

Change your Diet

Excess refined sugars and starches, elevated insulin levels can aggravate the condition. The ideal diet is one called the ”low glycemic index” diet. Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly food turns into sugar in the bloodstream. Low glycemic index foods do not raise blood sugar or insulin levels quickly and include lean proteins, beans, vegetables, and good fats (nuts, olives, olive oil, fish, fish oils, avocados). Increase your fibre intake.

One in two postmenopausal women will have osteoporosis, and most will suffer a fracture during their lifetime, timely diagnosis and management is very important to prevent fractures.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Stay Physical[ly active

Yoga and Pilates can improve strength, balance and flexibility. However, certain positions may not be safe for people with osteoporosis or those at increased risk of broken bones. For example, exercises that have you bend forward may increase the chance of breaking a bone in the spine. A physical therapist should be able to help you learn which exercises are safe and appropriate for you.

Dealing with osteoporosis depends partly on how much bone mass you attained in your youth. So make sure you take these tips seriously to cope with the pain for dealing with osteoporosis.

Also Read: Why Does My Jaw Pop? Research-Based Explanations and Solutions

4 Critical Health Disorders Women Suffer!

Health Disorders in Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women but men can get it too. The term “ovarian cancer” includes several types of cancer that all arise from cells of the ovary. Both these diseases are major women’s health issues in urbanized areas. According to the National Cancer Institute, certain types of breast and ovarian cancer are highly genetic. These gene mutations pass from parent to child and frequently affect multiple generations of a family. They account for up to 25% of genetic breast cancers and 15% of ovarian cancer cases.Breast and ovarian cancer are treated according to the stage and type of cancer and treatments often involve surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation. Some women choose to be screened for genetic mutations and have their breasts and ovaries removed as a preventative measure.

Health Disorders in Rett Syndrome

Occurring in about 1 in 10,000 female infants, Rett Syndrome is a women’s health issue, typically involves a developmental regression sometime in the first 18 months of life, according to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. Symptoms include problems with various types of brain function – from emotional and behavioural issues to cognitive challenges.The level of disability varies significantly and treatment typically involves behavioural therapy and special education. Rett Syndrome results from a mutation on the X chromosome, which a girl can receive from either parent.There are treatments available for Rett syndrome that focuses on helping a girl live the best life she can with the condition. Physical therapy can help improve mobility; speech therapy may help somewhat with language problems and occupational therapy helps girls perform daily activities – like bathing and dressing independently.Experts believe that therapy can help girls with Rett syndrome and their parents. Although a “normal” life may not be possible, some improvement can be expected with therapy. Participating in activities, including school and improved social interaction, are sometimes possible.Medicines can help to manage some of the problems with movement in Rett syndrome. Medication can also help control seizures. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Rett syndrome, which is an irreversible women’s health issue.

Health Disorders in Osteoporosis

Newest Womens Health Center Area - Best Exercise For Preventing Osteoporosis

Source

68 per cent of the 44 million people at risk for osteoporosis are women, making it a huge concern in women’s health issues. Osteoporosis may have its roots in childhood and adolescence, which is the period when your body does the most bone building. Women reach their peak bone mass at about age 18 while men reach theirs at 20. After that, both women and men continue to build small amounts of bone mass but men add more than women.Two major factors that affect your chance of getting osteoporosis are:

The amount of bone you have when you reach menopause- The greater your bone density is, to begin with, the lower your chance of developing osteoporosis. If you had low peak bone mass or other risk factors that caused you to lose bone, your chances of getting osteoporosis might be greater.
How fast you lose bone after you reach menopause- For some women, bone loss happens faster than for others. In fact, a woman can lose up to 20% of her bone density during the five-seven years following menopause. If you lose bone quickly, you have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis.

According to doctors, the prevention of this women’s health issue is simple – Get enough calcium and vitamin D and eat a well-balanced diet, exercise and don’t smoke or drink.

Health Disorders in Postpartum Depression

Bringing a new baby into the family can be challenging at the best of times, both physically and emotionally. It is natural for new mothers to experience mood swings, feeling joyful one minute and depressed the next. These feelings are sometimes known as the ”baby blues” and often go away soon after birth. However, some women may experience a deep and ongoing depression that lasts much longer. This is called postpartum depression.One cannot afford to take this women’s health issue lightly as it affects both the mother and the child. Postpartum depression can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth. The cause is not known. Hormonal and physical changes after birth and the stress of caring for a new baby may play a role. Women who have had depression are at higher risk.The first thing women affected should do is contact their doctor, who may refer them to a psychiatrist and/or therapist. If the doctor advises medication don’t be afraid to try it. For many women with PPMDs, medication is a helpful and necessary treatment. Mothers should not berate themselves if they do require medication. It can help.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

PharmEasy Blog

First Aid For Fracture – How To Deal With Bone Fracture?

Signs and Symptoms of Bone Fracture

Call for Help Immediately if:

Healing

After-Care For Fractures

Osteoporosis: All You Need To Know

7 Poor Oral Health Hygiene Effects

Diabetes

Infertility

Heart Disease

Respiratory problems

Osteoporosis

Obesity

Arthritis