WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS? Osteoporosis is the name of the health condition that weakens the bones, making them fragile and prone to fractures. It develops slowly over several years in females during and post menopause and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture). The most common fractures in patients with Osteoporosis are: ● Wrist fracture ● Hip Fracture ● Vertebrae or spinal fracture ● In extreme cases,a forceful cough or sneeze can also cause a broken rib or the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine. The human body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, the pace of new bone creation or osteogenesis doesn't keep up with the pace of old bone removal. Osteoporosis affects both women and men of all races. But it is most commonly found to affect Asian women, especially older in age who are past menopause. WHAT IS OSTEOPENIA? The stage of bone loss before osteoporosis is called osteopenia. This is indicated by lower bone density than the average for one’s age, but not low enough to be classed as osteoporosis. CAUSES OF OSTEOPOROSIS Our bones are in a constant state of renewal — new bone is made and old bone is broken down. In young age, our body makes new bones faster than it breaks down old bones and the bone mass is on the increase. After the early 20s this process slows down, and most people reach their peak bone mass by age 30. We are likely to develop osteoporosis depending partly on how much bone mass one obtained in their youth. Peak bone mass is dependent on factors like genes, nutrition, lifestyle and ethnicity. The higher your peak bone mass, the less likely one will develop osteoporosis in older age. Main causes of Osteoporosis are: A. Hormonal changes due to menopause Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too little of certain hormones in their bodies. Sex hormones: Lowered sex hormone levels tend to weaken bone. The fall in estrogen levels in women at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Treatments for prostate cancer that reduce testosterone levels in men and treatments for breast cancer that reduce estrogen levels in women are likely to accelerate bone loss. Hyperthyroidism: High levels of thyroid hormone can cause bone loss. This can occur if your thyroid is overactive or if you take too much thyroid hormone medication to treat an underactive thyroid. Osteoporosis has also been associated with overactive parathyroid and adrenal glands. B. Deficiency of calcium or Vitamin D or both Low calcium intake: A prolonged lack of calcium plays a role in the development of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. Eating disorders: Following severely restrictive diets and being underweight leads to weakening of bones in both women and men. Gastrointestinal surgery: Surgery to reduce the size of your stomach or to remove part of the intestine limits the amount of surface area available to absorb nutrients, especially calcium. C. Steroids and other medications Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications interferes with the bone-rebuilding process. Osteoporosis has also been associated with medications used to treat or prevent Seizures, Gastric reflux, Cancer and Transplant rejection. D. Medical conditions The risk of osteoporosis is higher in people who have certain medical problems like Celiac disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Kidney or liver disease, Cancer, Multiple Myeloma and Rheumatoid arthritis. E. Lifestyle choices Some lifestyle choices increase the risk of osteoporosis: Sedentary lifestyle: People with long hours of sitting on a daily basis are more prone to developing osteoporosis. Alcohol abuse: Regular consumption of excessive alcohol increases the risk of osteoporosis. Tobacco use: People who consume tobacco have been shown to contribute to weakening of bones. WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOPOROSIS? ● Prolonged back pain ● Loss of height over time ● Stooped posture ● A bone that breaks much more easily than expected PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS Good nutrition, regular exercise are one of the most important preventive measures against osteoporosis. Adequate Calcium Intake Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. This daily amount increases to 1,200 milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn 70. Dietary sources of calcium include: ● Low-fat dairy products ● Dark green leafy vegetables ● Canned salmon or sardines with bones ● Soy products, such as tofu Consult your doctor for calcium supplements because too much calcium has been linked to kidney stones. Vitamin D Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in absorption of calcium and improves bone health. Sunlight is the best source of VitD. Dietary sources of vitamin D include: ● Cod liver oil ● Fish like trout and salmon Most people need at least 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day. That recommendation increases to 800 IU a day after age 70. People with limited sun exposure might need a supplement, consult your doctor for Vit D supplementation. Exercise Exercise can help you build strong bones and slow down the pace of bone loss. Combination of strength training exercises, weight-bearing and balance exercises goes a long way. Strength training helps strengthen muscles and bones in your arms and upper spine. Weight-bearing exercises — such as walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, skipping rope, skiing and impact-producing sports strengthens bones in your legs, hips and lower spine. Balance exercises reduce the risk of falling especially as you get older. TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS Osteoporosis treatment includes a good understanding of risk factors of osteoporosis and preventing them as much as possible. Treatment includes medication, a healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise to help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones. Bisphosphonates are medications that slow the breakdown and removal of bone (ie, resorption). Please consult your doctor before starting any medication or supplementation. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) under doctor’s supervision rapidly normalizes turnover, preserves bone mineral density (BMD) at all skeletal sites, leading to a significant reduction in vertebral and nonvertebral fractures. WHICH DOCTOR TREAT OSTEOPOROSIS Consult your gynecologist or your orthopaedician if you observe any symptoms of Osteoporosis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment allow patients of osteoporosis to lead a healthy and active life. Source - https://www.baghospital.com/blog/an-effective-guide-to-osteoporosis-prevention-and-treatment
