Key Takeaways:
- Osteoporosis is a disorder that weakens bones and increases their susceptibility to fractures.
- Despite the fact that there is no cure for osteoporosis, selecting the best course of treatment for you can assist to fortify and safeguard your bones.
The condition osteoporosis has an impact on the bones. Its name is derived from Latin for “porous bones.” A healthy bone has tiny crevices throughout, much like a honeycomb. These holes get larger as a result of osteoporosis, which also reduces the bone’s density and strength. The exterior of the bone also becomes thinner and weaker. Although osteoporosis can affect persons of any age, it is more prevalent in older adults, particularly women. Osteoporosis patients are more likely to suffer fractures, or broken bones, when performing everyday tasks like standing or walking. The ribs, hips, wrist, and spine bones are the most often impacted bones.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis has no symptoms or warning signals in its early stages. Most osteoporosis sufferers are unaware of their condition until they suffer a fracture.
Some of the earliest signs that might show up if they do include:
- Shrinking gums
- Diminished grip strength
- Brittle and weak nails
Speaking with your doctor can assist you in determining your risk if you don’t have any symptoms but have a family history of osteoporosis.
What are the risks associated with osteoporosis?
Age:
Age is the main osteoporosis risk factor. Your body replaces old bone with new bone throughout your lifetime. However, as you approach your 30s, your body begins to erode bone more quickly than it can replenish it. As a result, the bone becomes less thick, more brittle, and more likely to break.
Menopause:
Another major risk factor for women between the ages of 45 and 55 is menopause. Menopause might accelerate bone loss in women because of the altered hormone levels it brings about. At this age, men still lose bone, although at a slower rate than women. Women and men often lose bone at the same pace by the time they are 65 to 70 years old.
Others:
Other osteoporosis risk factors include:
- Having osteoporosis in one’s family
- Being female
- Being Caucasian or Asian
- Unsound nutrition
- Active inactivity
- Smoking
- Low body mass
- Small-framed body
Some of these osteoporosis risk factors, like poor nutrition and inactivity, are under your control. For instance, enhancing your nutrition and beginning an exercise regimen can help your bones. Other risk variables, including your age or gender, are out of your control.
What can you do to treat your osteoporosis?
- Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan if the results of your testing indicate that you have osteoporosis.
- In addition to prescribing drugs, your doctor may advise lifestyle modifications.
- Among these lifestyle adjustments are getting enough exercise and increasing your calcium and vitamin D consumption.
- Osteoporosis cannot be cured, but effective treatment can help safeguard and strengthen your bones.
- Some of these therapies can encourage the growth of new bone while others can assist decrease the loss of bone in your body.
What are the best medications to treat osteoporosis?
The term “bisphosphonates” refers to a class of medications used to treat osteoporosis. The usage of bisphosphonates stops the loss of bone mass. They can be ingested or administered intravenously. They consist of Alendronate, Ibandronate, Risedronate, and Zoledronic Acid (Reclast).
To stop bone loss or encourage bone development, other drugs may be taken. They consist of:
Testosterone:
Increased bone density in men may be aided by testosterone therapy.
Hormone therapy:
Oestrogen use during and after menopause for females can stop the decrease of bone density. Unfortunately, oestrogen therapy has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and blood clots.
Raloxifene (Evista):
Although there is still a higher risk of blood clots, it has been established that this medicine offers many of the advantages of oestrogen without many of the hazards.
Denosumab (Prolia):
It is an injection-only medication, may be even more effective than bisphosphonates at preventing bone loss.
Teriparatide (Forteo):
This medication promotes bone formation and is also administered intravenously.
Calcitonin salmon (Fortical and Miacalcin):
The nasal spray form of the medication lessens bone reabsorption. You should discuss any potential elevated cancer risk with your doctor.
What can you do to prevent getting osteoporosis?
You have no control over a number of osteoporosis risk factors. Women, older age, and a family history of osteoporosis are a few of these. However, there are some elements that are under your direct control.
The following are some of the top techniques to ward off osteoporosis:
- consuming the required amounts of calcium and vitamin D each day
- engaging in weight-bearing activities
- giving up smoking
- assessing the benefits and drawbacks of hormone therapy for women
Consult your doctor about the best ways to avoid osteoporosis if you’re at risk for it.
What does this mean for you?
The condition of osteoporosis might have negative consequences. It may result in fractures, which can be uncomfortable, take a while to heal, and cause other issues. For example, lying in bed for extended periods of time during hip fracture therapy increases your risk of blood clots, pneumonia, and other infections. The good news is that you have a lot of options for osteoporosis prevention and treatment, ranging from healthy food and exercise to taking the right drugs. Consult your doctor if you believe you may have osteoporosis or if you already have the disease. Your chance of developing osteoporosis can be decreased by working with them to create a preventative or therapeutic strategy that will help you.
