Osteoporosis is a type of bone disease that weakens bones. Thus, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain. It is not found until bones fracture. You can take steps to prevent this disease, and treatments do exist.
As per reports, about 200 million people are estimated to have osteoporosis throughout the world. In the U.S., the figure is about 54 million people. Although osteoporosis occurs in both men and women, women are four times more likely to develop the disease than men. There are currently about two million men in the U.S. who have osteoporosis and nearly 12 million more who are at risk of developing the condition.
Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races especially older women who are past menopause, are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones. For the treatment of osteoporosis, you must visit the best orthopedic doctor in Hyderabad.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle. Bones became so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over, or coughing can cause a fracture. The bone fracture most commonly occurs in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue and it is constantly being broken down and replaced. And, Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone.
Signs And Symptoms Of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes you to lose too much bone, make too little bone, or both. This condition makes bones become very weak. And, puts you at risk of breaking bones during normal activity. Therefore, bumping into something or a minor fall could cause fractures. People who are not suffering from osteoporosis are unlikely to break bones in those situations. When you have osteoporosis, especially in advanced cases, even a sneeze can break bones.
Usually, there are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But, once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms that include:
• Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
• Loss of height over time
• A stooped posture
• A bone that breaks much more easily than expected
Osteoporosis Causes
Bones are made of living, growing tissue and the inside of healthy bone looks like a sponge. This area is called trabecular bone. An outer shell of dense bone wraps around the spongy bone which is called cortical bone.
When osteoporosis occurs, the holes will grow larger and more numerous. This weakens the inside of the bone. Bones support the body and protect vital organs and also store calcium and other minerals. When the body needs calcium, it breaks down and rebuilds bones which supplies the body with needed calcium while keeping the bones strong.
Till the age of 30, you normally build more bone than you lose. And, after the age of 35 bones breakdown occurs faster than bone buildup. This causes a gradual loss of bone mass. If you have osteoporosis, you lose bone mass at a greater rate. The rate of bone breakdown occurs even more quickly after menopause.
Osteoporosis Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood that you will develop osteoporosis. For example, age, race, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions and treatments. Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men.
Some risk factors for osteoporosis are out of your control, including:
Age – The older you get, the greater your risk of osteoporosis.
Race – You are at greatest risk of osteoporosis if you’re white or of Asian descent.
Family history– Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts you at greater risk, especially if your mother or father fractured a hip.
Body Type – Men and women who have small body frames tend to have a higher risk. They might have less bone mass to draw from as they age.
The risk of osteoporosis is higher in people who have certain medical problems, including:
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney or liver disease
• Cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoporosis Prognosis
The doctor will order a medical test to give you information about your bone health before problems begin. Bone mineral density tests also known as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans are performed for the diagnosis. These X-rays use very small amounts of radiation to determine how solid the bones of the spine, hip or wrist are. Frequent X-rays will show osteoporosis only when the disease is very far along.
The Bone mineral density scan may be done earlier for women who have risk factors for osteoporosis. Men over age 70, or younger men with risk factors, should also consider getting a bone density test.
When To See A Doctor
You might want to talk to your doctor in an orthopedic hospital in Hyderabad about osteoporosis if you went through early menopause or took corticosteroids for several months at a time. Also, if either of your parents have had hip fractures.
Osteoporosis Treatment
Treatments for established osteoporosis may include exercise, consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements, and medications. Exercise and supplements are often suggested to help you prevent osteoporosis. You can go for weight-bearing, resistance and balance exercises.
There are certain medications that are used to treat osteoporosis. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the best fit. There is no one best medication to treat osteoporosis.
Hormone-related therapy includes estrogen, testosterone and the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene (Evista®). It is likely to be used in women who need to treat menopause symptoms and in younger women. Bisphosphonate osteoporosis treatments are considered antiresorbtive drugs. They prevent the body from re-absorbing bone tissue. There are several formulations with various dosing schemes (monthly, daily, weekly).
How Can You Prevent Osteoporosis?
Following a good diet and lifestyle are two important factors that helps to prevent osteoporosis. Also, replacing lost estrogen with hormone therapy also provides a strong defense against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Diet
To maintain strong and healthy bones, you need a diet rich in calcium throughout your life and get enough vitamin D to absorb calcium.
Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can reduce the degree of bone loss. Avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption and limit caffeine intake.
Exercise
Exercise can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss. Performing exercises will benefit your bones no matter when you star. But, you will gain benefits if you start exercising regularly and continue to exercise throughout your life. For example, jogging, aerobics, and weightlifting are best for strengthening bones.
Osteoporosis is responsible for more than two million bone fractures each year. This number continues to grow. There are various steps you can take to prevent osteoporosis from ever occurring. Treatments can also slow the rate of bone loss if you do have osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Needs Proper Treatment
Osteoporosis can be a debilitating medical condition. There is no way to completely prevent it. But, there are risk factors that you can be aware of. By knowing what factors increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis, you can take certain crucial steps to reduce your risk and take an active role in building bone health.
If you have been suffering from Osteoporosis, you must seek medical consultation from a suitable doctor at a well-known hospital in your locality.
