Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?

In the United States, over 10 million people have osteoporosis, and about 34 million have low bone density. The number of people that fracture a bone due to osteoporosis will continue to increase. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by the loss of density in bone, and it leads to fragile, porous bone which increases the risk of bone fractures. Osteoporosis can cause fractures in the hips, wrists, spine and other skeletal bones.

Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

There are many risk factors for developing an osteoporosis condition such as female gender, Asian or Caucasian race, small and thin body frames, family history of this condition, history of fractures as an adult, smoking, consuming too much alcohol and a lack of physical activity and exercise. Other risk factors include a lack of calcium in the diet, poor health and nutrition, low estrogen levels, chemotherapy, amenorrhea, chronic inflammation that occurs because of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, immobility due to a condition or a stroke, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism and a vitamin D deficiency. Also, some medications can cause osteoporosis such as anti-seizure medications and the long term use of heparin or oral corticosterioids.

Osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures, pain and disability. Over 30% of patients that fracture their hips will need nursing home care. About 20% of women with hip fractures will die as a result of the fracture. Also, when an individual experiences a spine fracture due to an osteoporosis condition, the risk for suffering another fracture increases.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis can occur without any symptoms being present for a long time. This condition does not cause symptoms except for bone fractures. As a result, patients may not know they have osteoporosis until they suffer from a fracture. Spine fractures can cause pain in the side of the body and the back. Multiple spine fractures can cause constant pain in the lower back and a hunched back, which is also known as a "dowager hump." In addition, patients with osteoporosis can get minimal trauma fractures of the feet while they walk. Typically, hip fractures occur after a fall.

Treatments

Treatment for this condition involves increasing bone strength and density in order to prevent fractures. Early detection and treatment can decrease the risk of fractures significantly. However, it is difficult to rebuild bone completely once osteoporosis is present. In order to prevent and treat osteoporosis, you have to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, exercising daily, eating a sensible diet, increasing calcium and vitamin D in the diet. Osteoporosis is also treated with medications that make bones stronger and stop bone loss such as Fosamax, Actonel, Evista, Boniva, Calcimar and Reclast.

Exercise doesn't increase bone density significantly. However, it is important for good health and it lowers the risk of falling. Exercise improves balance and increases muscle strength. Weight-bearing exericise like walking is recommended. Please note that extreme exercise like marathon running is not healthy for the bones. Young people that overexercise can lose their menstrual periods, which may cause osteoporosis.

In addition, our bodies need calcium in order to build strong bones. However, osteoporosis cannot be treated with calcium alone; prescription medication is necessary. However, after menopause, women can lose a significant amount of bone in the first several years even if they take calcium supplements. Studies have shown that most people are not getting enough calcium in their diet. You can increase your calcium intake by drinking milk and orange juice, and eating more cottage cheese or yogurt. Calcium supplements should be taken in divided doses with food. The body may not be able to absorb a full dose properly. A dose of 1000 mg should be divided in two, and 1500 mg should be divided into three doses. In addition, you should take calcium supplements with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb the calcium. A lack of vitamin D in the diet weakens the bones and increases the risk of fractures. We also need to be exposed to sunlight in order to prevent a vitamin D deficiency. Patients with osteoporosis should take 400 IU of vitamin D two times a day, calcium and osteoporosis medication.

In addition, smoking increases the risk of developing osteoporosis. A person that smokes a pack of cigarettes every day throughout their adult life can lose 5%-10% of bone mass. In addition, you should avoid consuming too much alcohol and caffeine if you want strong, healthy bones.