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What is Osteoporosis?

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Osteoporosis is a common condition. Bone is a living tissue that is in a constant state of formation and resorption. The body removes old bone (called bone resorption) and replaces it with new bone (bone formation). By their mid-30s, most people begin to slowly lose more bone than can be replaced. As a result, bones become thinner and weaker in structure. This gets accelerated in women at the time of the menopause. In men, bone loss usually becomes more of an issue around age 70.

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What are the symptoms?

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Osteoporosis is a silent disease because there are no symptoms, but you might notice your clothes are not fitting right and that you have lost height. Other times it may come to your attention only after you break a bone. When you have this condition, a fracture can occur even after a minor injury, such as a fall or even without an apparent injury. The most common fractures occur at the spine, wrist and hip. Spine and hip fractures, in particular, may lead to chronic (long-term) pain and disability, and even complications leading to death. The main goal of treating osteoporosis is to prevent such fractures in the first place.

 

 Many factors will raise your risk of developing osteoporosis and breaking a bone including age, lifestyle choices, certain diseases and medications. You can change some of these risk factors, but not others. Recognizing your risk factors is important so you can take steps to prevent this condition or treat it before it becomes worse.

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How is it diagnosed?

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A simple test known as a bone density scan, or DEXA, can give important information about your bone health and can diagnose either osteopenia (borderline low bone density) or osteoporosis.

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How is it treated?

 

• Make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet, or you might need to consider taking supplements.

• Get adequate amounts of vitamin D, which is important to help your body absorb calcium from foods you eat.

• Vitamin K2 appears to protect the bones. Studies have shown that poor Vitamin K intake is linked to low bone mass, osteoporosis and fracture risk.

• Physical activity: Get exercise most days, especially weight-bearing exercise, as much as you can tolerate. 

• Most people with Osteoporosis or High FRAX scores (a fracture risk score) will also need a medication. A number of medications are available for the prevention and/or treatment  of osteoporosis such as many types of bisphosphonates, Prolia, calcitonin, Evista, Forteo, Evenity and Tymlos .