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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis means "porous bones". It is a disease that reduces the density and quality of your bones, making them more fragile and likely to break.

Osteoporosis: A Silent Threat to Your Bones

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Osteoporosis is a condition that affects millions of people around the world, especially older adults. It causes your bones to become weak and brittle, making them more prone to fractures. In this article, we will explain what osteoporosis is, what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to treat it.

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What is osteoporosis?

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Osteoporosis means "porous bones". It is a disease that reduces the density and quality of your bones, making them more fragile and likely to break. Osteoporosis can affect any bone in your body, but the most common sites are the hip, wrist, and spine.

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Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because it does not cause any symptoms until a bone breaks. Many people do not know they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture from a minor fall or bump. A broken bone can be very painful and limit your mobility and independence. It can also increase your risk of other health problems, such as infections, blood clots, and depression.

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What causes osteoporosis?

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Your bones are living tissues that are constantly being renewed. Old bone is broken down and new bone is formed in a process called bone remodelling. When you are young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, so your bone mass increases. This reaches its peak around age 30.

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After that, your bone mass gradually declines as you age. This is normal and happens to everyone. However, some people lose bone faster than others and develop osteoporosis. This can be due to various factors, such as:

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Genetics: Osteoporosis tends to run in families. If you have a parent or sibling with osteoporosis, you are more likely to have it too.
Sex: Women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. This is because women have lower peak bone mass and lose bone faster after menopause due to lower oestrogen levels.
Age: The older you get, the higher your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become thinner and weaker as you age.
Race: People who are white or of Asian descent have a higher risk of osteoporosis than people of other races.
Lifestyle: Certain habits can affect your bone health, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating a poor diet, being physically inactive, or having low body weight.
Medical conditions: Some diseases can cause or worsen osteoporosis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.
Medications: Some drugs can interfere with bone remodelling or increase bone loss, such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, antacids, and some cancer treatments.

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How can you prevent osteoporosis?

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The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to build strong bones when you are young and maintain them throughout your life. You can do this by:

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Eating a balanced diet that provides enough calcium and vitamin D for your bones. Calcium is the main mineral that makes up your bones and vitamin D helps your body absorb it. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fortified foods. Good sources of vitamin D include sunlight exposure, fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods.
Doing regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises that put stress on your bones and muscles. This stimulates your body to make new bones and improve your balance and posture. Examples of weight-bearing exercises include walking, jogging, dancing, climbing stairs, and playing tennis. Examples of muscle-strengthening exercises include lifting weights and doing push-ups, squats, and planks.
Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake. Smoking reduces blood flow to your bones and lowers oestrogen levels in women. Alcohol interferes with calcium absorption and increases bone loss.
Getting tested for osteoporosis if you are at risk. A bone mineral density (BMD) test can measure how much calcium and other minerals are in your bones. It can help diagnose osteoporosis or predict your risk of fractures. Your healthcare provider can recommend when and how often you should get a BMD test based on your age, sex, medical history, and other factors.

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How can you treat osteoporosis?

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If you have osteoporosis or are at high risk of fractures, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications that can slow down or stop bone loss or increase bone formation. Some of the most common types of medications for osteoporosis are:

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Bisphosphonates: These drugs inhibit the cells that break down bone (osteoclasts) and reduce bone loss. They can be taken orally or by injection. Examples include alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and zoledronic acid (Reclast).
Denosumab: This drug is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a protein that stimulates osteoclasts and prevents bone loss. It is given by injection every six months. The brand name is Prolia.
Raloxifene: This drug is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that mimics the effects of oestrogen on bones and increases bone density. It is taken orally and is mainly used for postmenopausal women. The brand name is Evista.
Testosterone: This hormone can increase bone density in men who have low testosterone levels due to ageing or other causes. It can be given by injection, patch, gel, or tablet. The brand name is AndroGel.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements: These supplements can help improve your bone health if you do not get enough from your diet or have low levels in your blood. They can be taken orally or by injection.

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In addition to medications, you may also need other treatments to manage the complications of osteoporosis, such as pain relief, physical therapy, surgery, or rehabilitation.

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Conclusion

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Osteoporosis is a serious condition that weakens your bones and increases your risk of fractures. It can affect your quality of life and lead to other health problems. However, you can prevent or treat osteoporosis by taking care of your bones, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and drinking, getting tested, and taking medications if needed. Talk to your healthcare provider about your bone health and how to keep your bones strong for life.

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