Defining Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that leads to the weakening and breaking of bones. Bones that usually get affected include the spine, the forearm and the hip. There are no recurring symptoms of Osteoporosis and it may only be diagnosed once a bone break occurs. Prolonged consequences of the disease can lead to chronic pain and disability to carry out normal activities.
Factors that can lead to Osteoporosis
Below are two separate lists of factors, depending on whether they can or can’t be treated, that lead to the disease:
Factors that can’t be controlled (like HIV infection) –
• Age – As mentioned before, old age plays a significant role during the disease. Osteoporosis is mainly characterized by the weakening or breakage of bones which gets worse with age as the human body becomes thinner and weaker.
• Gender – As per researches, it is assured that women are more likely to suffer from the condition than men. Women are known to have smaller bones than men. The International Osteoporosis Foundation states that over 200 million women worldwide suffer from Osteoporosis. The chances heighten, if a woman has a problem with irregular or infrequent periods, have had their ovaries removed and are going through menopause.
• Race/ethnicity – The risk of osteoporosis is greater for white and Asian women as compared to African-American and Hispanic women, since the bone density in the latter is higher.
• Family history – Osteoporosis is a hereditary disease.
Factors that can be controlled –
• Poor diet – Low intake of calcium and vitamin D intensifies the risk of osteoporosis.
• Physical inactivity – Physical inactivity leads to weakening of bones, which further leads to their breakage, hence resulting in osteoporosis.
• Smoking and drinking – Smoking and too much of alcohol consumption is bad for the bones and can result in broken bones.
Treatment Available
In order to make sure that the condition is not aggravated, a three dimensional plan must be followed. Patients diagnosed with this condition must carefully watch their diet and lifestyle and be very particular about the medication.
The treatment of osteoporosis is largely governed by the following factors:
• Intake of sufficient amount of Calcium
• Intake of sufficient amount of Vitamin D
• Fall Prevention
• Bone strength enhancing medications
• Exercises focused on weight-bearing
The medications that work best for this bone thinning disease are either aimed at replenishing the bone composition or enhancing the function of certain hormones. They have an impact on the body’s calcium regulation.
Also, treatment of this disease in post-menopausal women is primarily based on hormone regulating medications. This is because hormonal imbalance is known to be the major cause of bone thinning in women after the menstrual cycle stops.
What is Bone Mineral Density Test and how often should it be done?
Also, termed as dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the Bone Mineral Density Test helps in determining the amount of Calcium present in the bones and the risk of health conditions like osteoporosis.
This test is done, if the doctor feels that a preventive screening is necessary or signs of bone thinning have already started to appear.
To sustain healthy bones, the human body continually substitutes old bone tissue with new bone tissue. However, after 30, more bone is broken down than is substituted. While people who are healthy just need to follow certain preventive measures, those diagnosed with chronic health conditions need to take special care of their diet and medication to ensure that they don’t acquire health conditions such as Osteoporosis which may make life more difficult.
Author Bio:
Terry Godier is a highly-qualified and well-known Immunologist and specializes in treating immune-related health conditions in women. She is a caring mother, an avid traveler and a prolific writer who takes interest in writing about medicine-related topics such as Osteoporosis.
