Osteoporosis is the thinning of the bones so that they become weak, brittle, and susceptible to breaking at even the slightest stress. Bone is constantly undergoing turnover, with old bone tissue breaking down while new bone tissue replaces it. Osteoporosis occurs when the rate at which new bone is made is unable to keep up with the rate at which old bone is discarded. This leads to loss of bone tissue.
Common symptoms of osteoporosis include
In the early stages of osteoporosis, there are typically no noticeable symptoms.
Osteoporosis is caused by a loss of new bone. New bone is always being made and old bone is always being broken down by the body. As humans reach 30, new bone is made faster than old bone is broken down. This is the age when we have the most bone mass we’ll ever have in our lifetime. Once we go past the age of 30, old bone starts to break down faster than new bone is made. Whether or not this turns into osteoporosis is determined by a few factors, including how much bone mass a person had when they were younger, ethnic group, and if your parents had osteoporosis.
Risk factors for osteoporosis that cannot be changed include:
Risk factors for osteoporosis that someone can try to prevent include:
Anyone who took steroids for a long period of time, experienced early onset menopause, or has a family history of osteoporosis, may want to consult a doctor about their risk for osteoporosis and what they can do to prevent it.
A doctor will diagnose osteoporosis with a combination of current symptoms, medical history, and a bone density test. A bone density test will allow your doctor to make a definitive diagnosis. Bone density tests involve low-level X-rays that detect the amount of minerals in your bones. An abnormally low amount of minerals indicates osteoporosis.
Bone fractures are the most common complication of osteoporosis. They frequently occur in the spine and hips. Hip fractures can be particularly dangerous, often resulting in death within a short period of time.
There are a wide range of treatment options for osteoporosis. An individual’s treatment will be based on their current risk of breaking a bone based on a bone density test. Lower-risk individuals typically focus on lessening any existing risk factors for falls and increasing current bone density, while higher-risk individuals may take medications.
Treatment options include:
An individual with osteoporosis and their doctor will create a treatment plan that best suits their needs.