Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis Latest News

Osteoporosis is commonly associated with aging and postmenopausal women, but bone-health concerns are increasingly being noticed among younger adults in clinical practice.

About Osteoporosis

• It is a disease in which your bones become weak and are likely to fracture (break). 
• Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Viewed under a microscope, a healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. 
• Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break (bone fractures).  
• Fractures can occur in any bone but happen most often in bones of the hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist. 

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What Causes Osteoporosis?

• Your bones are made of living tissue. To keep them strong, your body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone. 
• Osteoporosis develops when more bone is broken down than replaced. 
• You lose bone mass, and changes happen in the structure of your bone tissue. This can happen as you get older. 
• Some of the common risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:
  • Are female
  • Over the age of 50
  • Are of white or Asian descent
  • Have a family history of osteoporosis, especially if your mother or father fractured a hip
  • Have low body weight
  • Have low levels of sex hormones (low estrogen in women, low testosterone in men)
  • Have too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism)
  • Are chronically on certain medications such as steroids

Osteoporosis Symptoms

• It is called a “silent” disease because it doesn’t usually cause symptoms. 
• Although most people are not aware that they may have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture, there are some signs and symptoms that you may experience in later stages of the condition. They include:
  • Back pain (in the presence of vertebral compression fracture)
  • Loss of height over time (this will be gradual)
  • A stooped posture
  • Low-impact bone fracture

Osteoporosis Treatment

• Treatment for osteoporosis may involve:
• Making lifestyle changes, such as changing your diet and exercise routine
• Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements
• Using medicines to strengthen bones.

News: NDTV