Introduction
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition in which bones become brittle and lose density. This condition cannot be reversed on its own. It has to be treated with medications, nutrition, and exercise. This may help prevent further damage and may increase density. Osteoporosis should be identified earlier for better improvement.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition of diseased bone. In this condition, bone mineral density decreases, and changes in structures and strength are noticed. This further results in fractures of bones. Osteoporosis is considered a silent disease because it does not show any symptoms until there are fractures in the bones. This can be seen among women after menopause and in older men. It may affect any race or ethnic group. It more commonly affects non-Hispanic white women and Asian women. Some children and teens may develop a rare disease known as idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. The cause of this rare condition is unknown, and children get well without any treatment.
What Are the Causes of Osteoporosis?
Many risk factors are involved in the development of osteoporosis. These include:
1. Gender: Females are found to be affected more because of their small bones and after menopause. Males are also at greater risk after the age of 70.
2. Age: As old age increases, bone loss is rapid, and bone growth is prolonged. Because of this, the risk of osteoporosis is higher.
3. Body Size: Slender, thin-boned women and men are at greater risk for osteoporosis.
4. Race: White and Asian women are more prone to this condition.
5. Family History: If parents have a history of osteoporosis or hip fracture, the risk of osteoporosis is higher among their children.
6. Hormone Imbalance: When there are changes in certain hormones, osteoporosis may occur. These include:
- Decreased levels of estrogen among women after menopause.
- Decreased levels of estrogen due to the absence of menstrual cycles in the premenopausal stage among women and extreme physical activity may lead to osteoporosis.
- Decreased levels of testosterone among men may lead to osteoporosis.
7. Diet: A diet consumed from childhood to old age with less calcium and vitamin D may lead to osteoporosis. Poor protein intake and excessive dieting may also contribute to this condition.
8. Medications: Certain medications, such as glucocorticoids, antiepileptic medicine, anticancer drugs, proton pump inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and medications used to treat type 2 diabetes, may lead to osteoporosis.
9. Lifestyle: Certain unhealthy lifestyles, such as low physical activity, drinking more alcohol, and smoking, may result in osteoporosis.
What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis does not show any symptoms till the bone is fractured. Some of the symptoms include:
- Severe back pain.
- Loss of height due to spine deformations.
- Bones may get fractured due to minor falls and normal stresses like bending, lifting, or coughing.
Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?
Osteoporosis can weaken the bones, making them more prone to fractures. Bones contain living tissue. When these living tissues are broken down, the body replaces them with new tissue. In this condition, the balance of forming new tissues gets disturbed. Old bone loses fast, and at the same time, individuals cannot make sufficient new bone. When this situation continues for many years, the individual can only be diagnosed when the bones are fractured. Some forms of osteoporosis can be reversed with medications, lifestyle changes, and certain physical activities. Lifestyle changes can help prevent future bone loss and reduce the risk of bone fractures.
1. Lifestyle Factors:
These include consuming nutritious food, practicing regular exercises, and avoiding habits such as consuming excess alcohol, reducing the use of steroids, and smoking.
2. Eating a Nutritious Diet: A nutritious diet that includes vitamin D and calcium is vital for bone health. Vitamin D plays a role in the absorption of calcium. When taken together, these work effectively. A study done in 2015 found that apart from vitamin D and calcium, fruits, vegetables, seafood, and dairy products are also important for bone health.
3. Supplements: Supplements of calcium and vitamin D are beneficial for osteoporosis. A study done in 2016 noticed that individuals with osteoporosis, when given calcium and vitamin D supplements, were found to be 15 % less likely to have bone fractures.
4. Regular Exercises: Weight-bearing exercises and resistance training are important for bone health. This is important because bones contain living and changing tissues. These tissues respond well to the changes. During exercise, the tissues react by building more bone tissue. Weight-bearing exercises include walking, dancing, and tennis. Resistance exercises use weights, bands, body weights, or other equipment that help build strength. Exercises help improve muscles and thereby help increase coordination.
5. Habits: Avoiding habits like drinking alcohol and smoking helps with bone health.
6. Medications: Many treatments treat osteoporosis, but no treatment can reverse the condition. The diagnosis is done through various tests, such as bone density scans. Age, sex, and medical history are important considerations while treating the condition. These include:
- Bisphosphonates: These medicines decrease the speed at which the bones break down. These are available in the form of injections or tablets.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT can help in the treatment of symptoms of menopause. HRT may improve bone strength, but at the same time, it has a few disadvantages, such as increasing the risk of stroke, venous thromboembolism, and certain cancers.
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs): These help prevent bone loss. These can help prevent fractures related to the spine more than other bones. These should be used cautiously because they may cause side effects.
- Parathyroid Hormones: These help regulate calcium levels in the bones. These stimulate cells that produce bone. This helps in increasing bone density.
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is a disease related to the bones. It cannot be identified early, as it does not show symptoms unless there is a bone break. Hence, knowing about the condition, its causes, symptoms, and management is important. Knowing the condition in detail may help prevent it by following preventive measures. It can be identified earlier, too. Early diagnosis always leads to effective treatment. This further helps achieve a good quality of life.
