Osteoporosis
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is one of the most common diseases in the world that causes bone damage and weakening. It involves a decrease in bone mass and an increased risk of fractures.
Causes of osteoporosis:
Bones are thickest and strongest in your early adult life as it is constantly renewing itself. As we age, this process becomes unbalanced and bone mass loss increases, resulting in decreased bone density as we age. The weakened bones become fragile.
People who are in the high-risk group are particularly prone to this disease.
Risk factors are
- Fracture as a result of a minor fall or injury;
- Diseases of the hormone-producing glands - e.g. an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism);
- Long-term use of medications that affect hormone levels or bone strength, such as oral prednisolone;
- In women, the postmenopausal period;
- History of fractures or family history of osteoporotic fractures;
- Gastrointestinal diseases: malabsorption, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic diseases, surgical interventions (including bariatric surgeries);
- Long-term use of such drugs as glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone); anticoagulants (heparin); thyroid hormones; long-term therapy with anticonvulsants;
- Diseases of the endocrine system: diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, primary hyperparathyroidism;
- Rheumatoid diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus;
- Nutritional disorders: insufficient intake of foods containing calcium, vitamin D and protein;
- Excessive consumption of nicotine, alcohol and coffee;
- Reduced physical activity.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis develops slowly and often has no signs and symptoms until a small fall or unexpected blow causes a bone fracture. A cough or sneeze can cause a rib fracture or the complete or partial collapse of one of your vertebrae.
One sign of osteoporosis is the characteristic hunched posture that appears in older people. This occurs when the vertebrae collapse and the spine cannot handle the weight of the body.
The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are:
- wrist fracture;
- pelvic fracture;
- vertebral fractures.
Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis
The gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis is densitometry, which determines bone mineral density using a special type of X-ray and assesses the risk of fractures. Treatment of osteoporosis is aimed at preventing fractures and strengthening the bones. The decision about the type of treatment depends on how high the risk of fracture is. It will be based on the results of a densitometric study.
The treatment of osteoporosis depends on various factors, among which are important:
- Age;
- Bone density;
- Risk factors for fractures.
Prevention of osteoporosis
It is important for people at risk of developing osteoporosis to take the following steps to maintain bone health and reduce their risk:
- regular exercise;
- healthy diet;
- stopping excessive nicotine and alcohol use.
