Osteoporosis Linked to Loss of Hearing?

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Osteoporosis linked to hearing lossIt’s a well-known fact that osteoporosis can cause the bones to weaken and deteriorate—sufferers are constantly on the lookout to prevent slips and falls that can lead to serious fractures.

Now osteoporosis sufferers have to pay close attention to one more factor: their hearing. A recent study has discovered that osteoporosis can actually cause hearing loss.

How are Osteoporosis and Hearing Loss Linked? And How Long Will It Last?

Evidence suggests that osteoporosis not only affects the bones, but it may actually affect the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. The cerebrovascular system refers to the blood vessels that carry blood to the brain and the cardiovascular system transports nutrients.

If certain parts of the body are not receiving blood and nutrients, the function related to those parts will begin to die. So this is how osteoporosis can cause the loss of your hearing, with your ear area not receiving enough blood flow.

The hearing loss can either happen all at once, or can gradually decrease over several days. The (somewhat) good news is that the loss is temporary for about 50% of people who suffer from it. And approximately 85% of people who suffer from hearing loss due to osteoporosis will regain at least some of their hearing. But, even so, this situation is definitely something you want to prevent.

How to Prevent Osteoporosis

We all want our bones to be healthy (and to keep our hearing)—so let’s observe a few ways that you can prevent osteoporosis:

1. Strengthen with Exercise: I recommend that adults get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day in order to strengthen your bones. Weight-bearing exercises actually force your body to resist gravity, and create the cells in your body that make new bones. Strength training will cause muscles to pull on the bone; the result is greater bone strength and flexibility.

2. Get That Crucial Vitamin D: Consuming adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D can also help prevent you from developing osteoporosis. If you have low levels of both calcium and vitamin D, your body will then break down the bones to replenish it, resulting in severe bone loss. You can get vitamin D and calcium from the following:

  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
  • Calcium-fortified juices and food
  • Sardines with bones
  • Certain vegetables: For vitamin D, eat more mushrooms; for calcium, your best bets are kale and spinach
  • Soy products
  • Calcium and vitamin D supplements
  • Sun exposure

3. Cut Down the Alcohol: If you are an avid drinker, your risk of bone loss increases. Cutting out or limiting your drinking will be a huge step towards preventing osteoporosis and hearing loss.

4. Eliminate Smoking: If you are a smoker, your chances of bone loss are doubled due to the reduced estrogen in your body. Yes, we’ll keep beating that dead horse: you have to quit smoking.

Be Cautious

As you age, your bones will not be as strong as they were when you were younger. Exercise daily—but make sure you know when your body has had enough. This is especially important for people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

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Sources:
“Understanding Osteoporosis Prevention,” Web MD web site; http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/osteoporosis-prevention, last accessed April 24, 2015.
Preidt, R., “Could Weak Bones, Sudden Hearing Loss Be Linked?” Web MD web site, April 22, 2015; http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/news/20150422/could-weak-bones-sudden-hearing-loss-be-linked.