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OSTEOPOROSIS |
A systematic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass, increase of bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis is a disease of progressive bone loss associated with an increased risk of fractures. Osteoporosis leads to literally abnormally porous bone that is more compressible like a sponge, than dense like a brick. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone leading to an increase in the risk of breaking bones.
Osteoporosis often causes a loss of height and dowager's hump. Osteoporosis can lead to irreversible deterioration of bone structure. Women develop osteoporosis four times more often than men. It usually appears in people after age 40.
The numbers of factors that can lead to osteoporosis include:
- Bones need exercise to stay strong. If you do not exercise you may increase your risk of osteoporosis.
- Changes in hormone levels can also cause osteoporosis. Hormones are substances produced by the body that help different organs run normally. Certain hormones, such as estrogen, allow women to get pregnant. When a woman reaches menopause her estrogen level changes.
- Not eating foods rich in calcium, vitamin D and phosphorous can also cause bone loss.
- Drinking too much alcohol, smoking or having too much caffeine can cause bone loss. Coffee, tea and some sodas contain caffeine.
- Some medicines can stop your body from absorbing calcium. This may cause your bones to weaken.
- Other illnesses or diseases, such over-active thyroid, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis may also cause bone loss.
- Bone loss will occur naturally as you get older.
- Some people with osteoporosis have other family members with it. A higher risk of getting osteoporosis may be passed along through the family.
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Things that can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis include:
- being female and small, thin body (under 127 pounds)
- family history of osteoporosis and being postmenopausal or of an advanced age
- Caucasian or Asian race, but African American and Hispanic women are also at significant risk for developing the disease
- abnormal absence of menstrual periods or having an eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia that can cause menstrual periods to stop before menopause, and loss of bone tissue from too much exercise
- low testosterone levels in men and inactive lifestyle
- a diet low in dairy products or other sources of calcium and vitamin D
- long-term use of glucocorticoids anti-seizure medications; gonadotropin releasing hormone for treatment of endometriosis; aluminum-containing antacids; certain cancer treatments; and excessive thyroid hormone
- cigarette smoking and drinking too much alcohol
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Lifestyle changes may be the best way of preventing osteoporosis:
- Make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet (roughly 1000-1500 mg/day, but will depend on your age)
- Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D (between 400-800 IU/day)
- Stop smoking
- Avoid excess alcohol intake
- Engage in weight-bearing exercises
- Treat underlying medical conditions that can cause osteoporosis
- Minimize or change medications that can cause osteoporosis; never stop taking any medication without speaking with your doctor first
- If you are at high risk for falls, consider using hip protectors, which will help prevent a hip fracture if you fall
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What is the treatment for Osteoporosis? |
The primary goal of treatment of osteoporosis is to reduce the risk of pathologic fractures. The three mainstays of treatment are:
Weight-bearing exercise Exercise is an important treatment for osteoporosis to maintain healthy bones.
Nutrition supplementationCalcium supplementation is an important treatment to ensure oral intake is at least 1200 to 1500 mg every day.
MedicationsThere are several available medications used for osteoporosis treatment. These include:
- Estrogen Calcitonin
- SERMs
- Bisphosphonates
- Intermittent PTH
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