Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. This leads to bones becoming weak and brittle, so that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Several factors can contribute to the development of osteoporosis. These include:
⦁ Age: Bone density decreases naturally as we age.
⦁ Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.
⦁ Family History: Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis increases your risk.
⦁ Body Size: Small-framed individuals are at higher risk.
⦁ Hormonal Changes: Reduced estrogen levels in women after menopause and low testosterone levels in men can lead to bone loss.
⦁ Dietary Factors: Low calcium and vitamin D intake can weaken bones.
⦁ Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease, can increase the risk.
⦁ Medications: Some medications, such as steroids, can contribute to bone loss.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
In the early stages of bone loss, there are typically no symptoms. However, as osteoporosis progresses, symptoms may include:
⦁ Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
⦁ Loss of height over time
⦁ Stooped posture
⦁ Bones that break much more easily than expected
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be diagnosed through a bone density test, which measures the amount of bone mineral in a specific area of bone. This test is often recommended for older adults, especially women after menopause.
Treatment and Prevention
Several strategies can help treat and prevent osteoporosis:
⦁ Diet: Consuming a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is essential for bone health.
⦁ Exercise: Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, and weightlifting, can help strengthen bones.
⦁ Medications: Several medications are available to treat osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fractures.
⦁ Lifestyle Changes: Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can help protect bone health.
Recommended daily calcium supplementation is 600 mg twice a day and vitamin D3 of 800 units daily. Having patients be as physically active as they can help bones maintain strength and mineralization. Dexa scans are started at age 65 unless there is family history of bone loss issues.
Which is why a lot of women who have hysterectomy have at least one ovary left, so their body still produces estrogen, which plays a major role in preventing early osteoporosis.