Osteoporosis
- What is osteoporosis
- Who is more likely to develop osteoporosis?
- How to diagnose osteoporosis?
- How to treat osteoporosis?
- Prevention
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to become porous, weak, and brittle. The result is a greater risk of bone fracture, known as fragility fracture.
Osteoporosis is “invisible,” with no obvious signs or symptoms until a bone is broken. In people with osteoporosis, fractures can occur as a result of falling from a slight height, impact, making a sudden movement, bending or climbing.
Fractures caused by osteoporosis usually occur in the hip, spine, wrist, or upper arm, but other bones can also break. One bone fracture is followed by another, that is why it is important to diagnose and treat this disease as soon as possible.
Osteoporosis fractures affect one in three women and one in five men aged 50 and over worldwide.
Who is more likely to develop osteoporosis?
People over the age of 60 are more vulnerable to osteoporosis than younger people. However, it is possible to develop osteoporosis at an earlier age. Menopause in women declares the rapid bone loss, so all women should pay special attention to their bone health at an earlier age. Common risk factors for osteoporosis and fragile bone fractures include:
- bone fracture after the age of 50,
- loss of height up to 4 cm and even more, curved back,
- early menopause,
- underweight (when the body mass index is below 19),
- other diseases associated with osteoporosis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, or certain digestive diseases.
- drugs that quicken the development of osteoporosis, such as long-term daily use of glucocorticoids (steroids),
- heredity of osteoporosis,
- low intake of calcium, lack of sunlight,
- sedentary life (less physical activity),
- smoking and/or alcohol abuse.
Because osteoporosis has no obvious symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor and discuss your bone health with him, if you notice any risk factor.
How to diagnose osteoporosis?
Depending on your age or risk level, your doctor may recommend a bone density test. Your bone density can be measured by a machine that uses low levels of X-rays to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones. During this painless test, you lie on a padded table as a scanner passes over your body. In most cases, only certain bones are checked — usually in the hip and spine. The results are expressed as a “T-score” and indicate the problem in the person taking the test. According to the “T-indicator”, bone density may be normal, or osteopenia, osteoporosis or severe osteoporosis may be diagnosed. If the results of the test diagnose osteopenia or osteoporosis, there is a risk of a bone fracture.
Why it is done
Doctors use bone density testing to:
- Identify decreases in bone density before you break a bone
- Determine your risk of broken bones (fractures)
- Confirm a diagnosis of osteoporosis
- Monitor osteoporosis treatment
The higher your bone mineral content, the denser your bones are. And the denser your bones, the stronger they generally are and the less likely they are to break.
Treatment
Today there are different ways of treating osteoporosis. The type of treatment depends on the patient’s individual risk profile. Like all medications, osteoporosis medications can only be effective when taken as directed. Your doctor may prescribe calcium or vitamin supplements to ensure you get enough of these important nutrients.
Prevention
Good nutrition and regular exercise are essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life.
Calcium
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.
Good sources of calcium include:
- Low-fat dairy products
- Dark green leafy vegetables
- Canned salmon or sardines with bones
- Soy products, such as tofu
- Calcium-fortified cereals and orange juice
If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, consider taking calcium supplements. However, too much calcium has been linked to kidney stones. Although yet unclear, some experts suggest that too much calcium, especially in supplements, can increase the risk of heart disease.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D improves the body’s ability to absorb calcium and improves bone health in other ways. People can get some of their vitamin D from sunlight, but this might not be a good source if you live in a high latitude, if you’re housebound, or if you regularly use sunscreen or avoid the sun because of the risk of skin cancer.
Dietary sources of vitamin D include cod liver oil, trout and salmon. Many types of milk and cereal have been fortified with vitamin D.
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 without other sources of vitamin D and especially with limited sun exposure might need a supplement. Most multivitamin products contain between 600 and 800 IU of vitamin D. Up to 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day is safe for most people.
Exercise
Exercise can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss. Exercise will benefit your bones no matter when you start, but you’ll gain the most benefits if you start exercising regularly when you’re young and continue to exercise throughout your life.
Combine strength training exercises with weight-bearing and balance exercises. 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 — affect mainly the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine. Balance exercises can reduce your risk of falling especially as you get older.
