What is Osteoporosis
“Osteoporosis” literally means “porous bones.” The bones become weaker, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in the hip, spinal vertebrae, and wrist. Bone tissue is constantly being renewed, and new bone replaces old, damaged bone. In this way, the body maintains bone density and the integrity of its crystals and structure.
Bone density peaks when a person is in their late 20s. After the age of around 35 years, bone starts to become weaker. As we age, bone breaks down faster than it builds. If this happens excessively, osteoporosis results.
Osteoporosis happens when bone density decreases and the body stops producing as much bone as it did before. It can affect both males and females, but it is most likely to occur in women after menopause, because of the sudden decrease in estrogen, the hormone that normally protects against osteoporosis. As the bones become weaker, there is a higher risk of a fracture during a fall or even a fairly minor knock.
Osteoporosis currently affects over 53 million people in the United States (U.S.).
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Key Points on Osteoporosis
Here are some key points about osteoporosis.
- – Osteoporosis affects the structure and strength of bones and makes fractures more likely, especially in the spine, hip, and wrists.
- – It is most common among females after menopause, but smoking and poor diet increase the risk.
- – There are often no clear outward symptoms, but weakening of the spine may lead to a stoop, and there may be bone pain.
- – A special x-ray-based scan, known as DEXA, is used for diagnosis.
- – Treatments include drugs to prevent or slow bone loss, exercise, and dietary adjustments, including extra calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.
What About Osteopenia
You can think of Osteopenia as a midpoint between having healthy bones and having osteoporosis. Osteopenia is when your bones are weaker than normal but not so far gone that they break easily, which is the hallmark of osteoporosis. Your bones are usually at their densest when you’re about
30. Osteopenia, if it happens at all, usually occurs after age 50. The exact age depends on how strong your bones are when you’re young. If they’re hardy, you may never get osteopenia. If your bones aren’t naturally dense, you may get it earlier.
Osteopenia — or seeing it turn into osteoporosis for that matter — is not inevitable. Diet, exercise, and sometimes medication can help keep your bones dense and strong for decades.
Treatment of osteoporosis
Treatment aims to:
- slow or prevent the development of osteoporosis
- maintain healthy bone mineral density and bone mass
- prevent fractures
- reduce pain
- maximize the person’s ability to continue with their daily life
This is done through preventive lifestyle measure and the use of supplements and some drugs.
Lifestyle Treatments:
- not smoking, as this can reduce the growth of new bone and decrease estrogen levels in women
- limiting alcohol intake, to encourage healthy bones and prevent falls
- getting regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, as this promotes healthy bone and strengthens support from muscles
- doing exercises to promote flexibility and balance, such as yoga, as these can reduce the risk of falls and fractures
- For people who already have osteoporosis, nutrition, exercise, and fall prevention play a key role in reducing risks and bone loss.
Drug therapy
- Drugs that can help prevent and treat osteoporosis include:
- Bisphosphonates: These are antiresorptive drugs that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
- Estrogen agonists or antagonists, also known as selective estrogen-receptor modulators, SERMS), for example, raloxifene (Evista): These can reduce the risk of spine fractures in women after menopause.
- Calcitonin (Calcimar, Miacalcin): This helps prevent spinal fracture in postmenopausal women, and it can help manage pain if a fracture occurs.
- Parathyroid hormone, for example, teriparatide (Forteo): This is approved for people with a high risk of fracture, as it stimulates bone formation.
- RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitors, such as denosumab (Xgeva):
This is an immune therapy and a new type of osteoporosis treatment. - Other types of estrogen and hormone therapy may help as well
Comments
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Caden Dahl On March 22, 2019 at 8:14 pm
I think I might be getting osteoporosis. It would be a good idea to go and see a doctor. As you said, a professional would be the best option to go with.