Osteoporosis happens when bone density decreases and the body stops producing as much bone as it did before.
It can affect both males and females, but it is most likely to occur in women after menopause, because of the sudden decrease in estrogen, the hormone that normally protects against osteoporosis.
As the bones become weaker, there is a higher risk of a fracture during a fall or even a fairly minor knock.
Osteoporosis currently affects over 53 million people in the United States (U.S.).
Fast facts on osteoporosis
Here are some key points about osteoporosis. More detail is in the body of this article.
Osteoporosis affects the structure and strength of bones and makes fractures more likely, especially in the spine, hip, and wrists.
It is most common among females after menopause, but smoking and poor diet increase the risk.
There are often no clear outward symptoms, but weakening of the spine may lead to a stoop, and there may be bone pain.
A special x-ray-based scan, known as DEXA, is used for diagnosis.
Treatments include drugs to prevent or slow bone loss, exercise, and dietary adjustments, including extra calcium, magnesium and vitamin D.
What is osteoporosis?
“Osteoporosis” literally means “porous bones.” The bones become weaker, increasing the risk of fractures, especially in the hip, spinal vertebrae, and wrist.
Bone tissue is constantly being renewed, and new bone replaces old, damaged bone. In this way, the body maintains bone density and the integrity of its crystals and structure.
Bone density peaks when a person is in their late 20s. After the age of around 35 years, bone starts to become weaker. As we age, bone breaks down faster than it builds. If this happens excessively, osteoporosis results.
Treatment of osteoporosis
Treatment aims to:
slow or prevent the development of osteoporosis
maintain healthy bone mineral density and bone mass
prevent fractures
reduce pain
maximize the person’s ability to continue with their daily life
This is done through preventive lifestyle measure and the use of supplements and some drugs.
Drug therapy
Drugs that can help prevent and treat osteoporosis include:
Bisphosphonates: These are antiresorptive drugs that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk.
Estrogen agonists or antagonists, also known as selective estrogen-receptor modulators, SERMS), for example, raloxifene (Evista): These can reduce the risk of spine fractures in women after menopause.
Calcitonin (Calcimar, Miacalcin): This helps prevent spinal fracture in postmenopausal women, and it can help manage pain if a fracture occurs.
Parathyroid hormone, for example, teriparatide (Forteo): This is approved for people with a high risk of fracture, as it stimulates bone formation.
RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitors, such as denosumab (Xgeva): This is an immune therapy and a new type of osteoporosis treatment.
Other types of estrogen and hormone therapy may help.
The future of osteoporosis therapy?
In future, treatment may include stem cell therapy. In 2016, researchers found that injecting a particular kind of stem cell into mice reversed osteoporosis and bone loss in a way that could, potentially, benefit humans too.
Findings published in 2015 suggested that growth hormone (GH) taken with calcium and vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of fractures in the long term.
Also in 2015, researchers in the United Kingdom (U.K.) found evidence that a diet containing soy protein and isoflavones may offer protection from bone loss and osteoporosis during menopause.
Scientists believe that up to 75 percent of a person’s bone mineral density is determined by genetic factors. Researchers are investigating which genes are responsible for bone formation and loss, in the hope that this might offer new ways of preventing osteoporosis in future.
Bone loss that leads to osteoporosis develops slowly. There are often no symptoms or outward signs, and a person may not know they have it until they experience a fracture after a minor incident, such as a fall, or even a cough or sneeze.
Commonly affected areas are the hip, a wrist, or spinal vertebrae.
Breaks in the spine can lead to changes in posture, a stoop, and curvature of the spine.
Causes and risk factors
A number of risk factors for osteoporosis have been identified. Some are modifiable, but others cannot be avoided.
Unavoidable factors
Non-modifiable risk factors include:
Age: Risk increases after the mid-30s, and especially after menopause.
Reduced sex hormones: Lower estrogen levels appear to make it harder for bone to reproduce.
Ethnicity: White people and Asians are more susceptible than other ethnic groups.
Bone structure: Being tall (over 5 feet 7 inches) or slim (weighing under 125 pounds) increases the risk.
Genetic factors: Having a close family member with a diagnosis of hip fracture or osteoporosis makes osteoporosis more likely.
Fracture history: Someone who has previously experienced a fracture during a low-level injury, especially after the age of 50 years, is more likely to receive a diagnosis.
Diet and lifestyle choices
Modifiable risk factors include:
eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa, or orthorexia
tobacco smoking
excessive alcohol intake
low levels or intake of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, due to dietary factors, malabsorption problems, or the use of some medications
inactivity or immobility
Weight-bearing exercise helps prevent osteoporosis. It places stress on the bones, and this encourages bone growth.
Drugs and health conditions
Some diseases or medications cause changes in hormone levels, and some drugs reduce bone mass.
Diseases that affect hormone levels include hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, and Cushing’s disease.
Research published in 2015 suggests that transgender women who receive hormone treatment (HT) may be at higher risk of osteoporosis. However, using anti-androgens for a year before starting HT may reduce this risk. Transgender men do not appear to have a high risk of osteoporosis. More research is needed to confirm this.
Conditions that increase the risk include:
cancer
COPD
chronic kidney disease
some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
Medications that raise the risk include:
glucocorticoids and corticosteroids, including prednisone and prednisolone
thyroid hormone
anticoagulants and blood-thinners, including heparin and warfarin
protein-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and other antacids that adversely affect mineral status
some antidepressant medications
some vitamin A (retinoid) medications
thiazide diuretics
thiazolidinediones, used to treat type 2 diabetes, as these decrease bone formation
some immunosuppressant agents, such as cyclosporine, which increase both bone resorption and formation
aromatase inhibitors and other treatments that deplete sex hormones, such as anastrozole, or Arimidex
some chemotherapeutic agents, including letrozole (Femara), used to treat breast cancer, and leuprorelin (Lupron) for prostate cancer and other conditions
Calcium is essential for bones, and ensuring an adequate calcium intake is important.
Adults aged 19 years and above should consume 1,000 milligrams (mg) a day. Women aged 51 years and over, and all adults from 71 years should have a daily intake of 1,200 mg.
Dietary sources are preferable and include:
dairy produce, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
green leafy vegetables, such as kale and broccoli
fish with soft bones, such as tinned salmon and tuna
fortified breakfast cereals
If a person’s dietary intake is not enough, supplements are an option. Calcium supplements are available for purchase online.
Vitamin D plays a key role, as it helps the body absorb calcium. Dietary sources include fortified foods, saltwater fish, and liver.
However, most vitamin D does not come from food but from sun exposure, so moderate, regular exposure to sunlight is recommended.
Vitamin D supplements are available for purchase online.
Lifestyle factors for preventing osteoporosis
Other ways to minimize the risk are:
not smoking, as this can reduce the growth of new bone and decrease estrogen levels in women
limiting alcohol intake, to encourage healthy bones and prevent falls
getting regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, as this promotes healthy bone and strengthens support from muscles
doing exercises to promote flexibility and balance, such as yoga, as these can reduce the risk of falls and fractures
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