What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become thin and weak, and break easily. It frequently goes undiagnosed until a fracture occurs, as there are no warning signs. The spine, wrist and hips are particularly vulnerable to fracture.
Osteoporosis Causes
The bones are a living tissue, just like the rest of the body. Bone reaches a peak of being most dense and strong by around the third decade of life. From this point, bone mass slowly decreases. The greater the peak bone strength the longer it takes for bone mass to fall to dangerous levels. So it’s vital that by early adult life a person has done everything possible to build their bones up with good nutrition and regular physical activity. Genetics also play a large part in determining an individual’s peak bone strength.
After the menopause, as oestrogen levels fall, the rate at which bone is broken down increasingly outstrips new bone production. Bone mass falls even further, the bones thin and osteoporosis has developed.
For this reason osteoporosis mainly affects women after the age of the menopause, although men can develop it too. The risk is increased for a woman if she has an early menopause, has her ovaries removed before the menopause, or has gone for six months or more without periods for as a result of excessive exercising or dieting. For men low levels of testosterone increase the risk.
Osteoporosis may occur in younger people if they have other predisposing factors.
Common risk factors which may affect men or women include:
- Long-term use of corticosteroid medication
- Maternal osteoporosis
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Low body weight
- Medical conditions that affect absorption (such as coeliac disease)
It’s important for those at particular risk of osteoporosis, especially post-menopausal women, to be aware of the condition and what they can do to reduce the risk. Talk to your doctor if you are worried.
As well as an examination and blood checks, there are a variety of tests that can give you a more definite assessment of the density of your bones. The most common is called a DXA (‘DEXA’) scan. This painless test involves a low dose of x-rays (less than a normal x-ray) usually across your spine and hip.
Once your doctor has the scan results they can then tell you whether you have osteoporosis, or are at risk, and will suggest treatments. Sometimes the risk of osteoporosis is so high (for example in women aged over 75) that a scan isn’t necessary and treatment is offered right away.
Osteoporosis Treatments
There a number of treatment options if you’re diagnosed with osteoporosis. Medication may include:
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
- A variety of hormone treatments, including HRT and SERMS or Selective estrogen receptor modulators (oestrogen, either naturally before the menopause or as HRT, is known to protect against bone loss).
- Bisphosphonates, a group of drugs that prevent bone breakdown and can be very effective in osteoporosis.
It’s better to prevent any condition than simply to manage it when it happens. Assessing the health of your bone structure and managing your risk for osteoporosis should be an important step you take as you enter middle age. Increase the calcium in your diet, increase the amount of weight-bearing exercise you do – this helps maintain bone density – reduce your alcohol intake and quit smoking.
If you are struggling to cope with Osteoporosis or would like more help and advice about the subject contact Mediterranean Quality Care Services today and let us give you the help you need.
Article taken in part from http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/
Written by Dr Trisha Macnair
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.