Over the years, bone mass is lost, which causes weakening of the bones . Women, during menopause , are especially prone to health problems related to this point, as are adults aged 70 and over. All of them could have osteoporosis, a disease that has many long-term effects.
In this article we will analyze what osteoporosis is, its symptoms, the diagnosis and the suggested treatment depending on the case.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that appears when the density of bone tissue decreases , causing porosity or empty spaces inside the bone. This makes it thinner and more brittle, so frequent fractures can occur. The bone undergoes wear and tear called “resorption”, but at the same time the body is forming new tissue to replace the loss, a process known as “formation”.
The balance of these processes is disturbed due to several factors, causing new tissue to stop forming, bone resorption to increase, or both at the same time. Good bone health is important for virtually any physical activity , but osteoporosis causes weakness that gradually pushes you to a sedentary lifestyle.
In addition, it presents possible risks involved, such as fractures, commonly in the femur, hips, wrists or vertebrae.
Osteoporosis symptoms
Osteoporosis is a slow and silent disease , most people do not have symptoms until after the bones are quite worn down. Among the possible effects that could occur, the National Library of Medicine highlights the following.
- Pain in the spine. In osteoporosis small fractures are produced that are taking place over time. A vertebral crush can also arise.
- Loss of height. Bones do not shrink. What happens is that, due to wear, the bone becomes more fragile and tends to deform.
- Fractures. Lacking density, the bone becomes brittle and can be easily fractured. When this problem is frequent, it is a clear indication of bone weakness.
The time it takes for a fracture to heal can vary greatly depending on age and the stage of the disease . These can become serious if they occur in an older adult, because their bones take longer to regenerate.
Causes of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis begins when bone breaks down faster than it can be replenished. During youth, new bones are formed more quickly, being faster than the decomposition they can have. This advantage is lost over the years. For example, at 30, the bones will be as dense and strong as they can be, from then on the process is reversed.
If you had difficulty with bone density during youth, the problem worsens as you reach adulthood. Despite this, there are things that can further promote the wear and tear process in healthier bones . Let’s see what factors can lead to osteoporosis.
- family history. A person is prone to osteoporosis if his parents had osteoporosis, or if they ever had hip fractures.
- Postmenopausal period. Women during postmenopause are likely to present problems related to osteoporosis, which worsens.
- Older adults have been losing bone density for years, so they are more prone to this disease.
- White skin or Asian descent. Race and skin color also influence determining factors.
- Bone mass level. A thin body during youth leaves less reserve bone mass for when wear and tear begins.
- decrease in hormones Certain hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, influence how weak or strong your bones are.
- Thyroidproblems . High levels of thyroid hormone and an overactive parathyroid influence the condition of the bones, negatively affecting their condition.
- Nutritional deficit. The body needs to absorb calcium and other minerals from food for the proper functioning of the bones. When it does not have sufficient amounts, the body is not able to strengthen the bone structure to the maximum.
- Other pathologies and treatments. Some diseases and their treatments alter the condition of the bones. Anti-seizure and anti-cancer drugs, for example, decrease their strength, making it easier for you to develop osteoporosis.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
The Spanish Society of Rheumatology affirms that there is no exact criterion to give a diagnosis. Risk factors are analyzed, such as age, weight, history, pathology, smoking , and any other significant aspect that allows determining whether or not the patient needs a thorough evaluation.
One test that can be done to measure bone density is bone densitometry . This analysis indicates the mineral density of the patient. It is done using a low-intensity X-ray machine. This evaluation is painless and can be done on a specific part of the body, such as the spine or hip.
Osteoporosis Treatment
The treatment will be determined depending on the wear generated in the bones. If bone loss is not significant, simply eating a diet with more essential minerals, as well as a lifestyle change to prevent fractures, may be the way to go . Medicines prescribed to treat osteoporosis include bisphosphonates and denosumab.
If the aforementioned treatment is no longer an option, hormonal processes can be used to increase estrogen or testosterone levels . This allows you to reduce the possible risks of suffering from osteoporosis.
In cases of severe osteoporosis, medications such as teriparatide, abaloparatide, and romosozumab may be prescribed. These are used to stimulate bone formation. However, all these drugs can cause side effects.
For this reason, prevention is best recommended through a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D , as well as regular, moderate-intensity physical exercise. In addition, it is necessary to avoid the abuse of alcohol and the use of tobacco. These measures help prevent or successfully treat osteoporosis.