Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone that occurs when bone mineral density and mass reduces. This is a silent disease because you generally don’t experience any signs or symptoms, and you might not even know about suffering from this condition until you break any bone.If you’re diagnosed with osteoporosis or a low bone mass, doctors may recommend dietary and lifestyle changes as part of your treatment plan. Osteoporosis depends upon various lifestyle aspects like nutrition factors that include consumption of protein, calcium, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, vitamin D levels and other behavioural factors like smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption.
An Overview About The Osteoporosis Condition
Loss of bone density is a common occurrence in the aging process, but osteoporosis is not. Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when bone tissue breaks down faster than expected, resulting in porous and brittle bone, which can be prone to fracture. This is the reason the condition Osteoporosis literally means bones with holes. This occurs when the bones lose minerals. They become weak, lose strength and break more easily.
The majority of people don’t realize they are suffering from osteoporosis until a fracture occurs, but there are certain risks that could affect the health of your bones that you must not ignore. Having an early diagnosis and intervention can help you prevent unwanted injuries. If you suffer from the osteoporosis condition, immediate medical treatment can help prevent bone loss in the future and lower the risk of fractures. Further, some lifestyle changes can help you maintain healthy bone health.
Osteoporosis and Bone Growth
Bone tissues continually get destroyed and rebuilt. This is a living tissue that requires adequate calcium and exercises to keep it strong just like our muscles.Sex hormones like testosterone and oestrogen play an important role in maintaining bone strength for both genders. The decrease in oestrogen levels that occurs during menopausal changes causes accelerated loss of bone. Within the initial five years following menopausal symptoms women can lose up to ten percent of their body’s bone mass.
Warning Signs
• Severe back pain, collapsing vertebrae
• Stooped posture
• Loss of height
• Weak and brittle fingernails
• Fracture of bones
• Increased risk of falling
• Reduction in mobility
• Bones fracture easily
• Loss of bone in the jaw
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Usually, people with low levels of calcium or those who take medications for longer periods can suffer from Osteoporosis. The condition may also occur due to genetic inheritance. The body parts like hip, spine and forearm are more susceptible to osteoporosis-related fractures.
How Is This Disease Diagnosed?
• Dual X-ray absorptiometry, a technique which uses low dose x-rays to determine bone density
• Blood tests to determine Vitamin D and Calcium level in bones
• Conventional radiography, which evaluates Bone Mineral Density
• Chemical Biomarkers, used to identify bone degrading
Lifestyle Changes For Osteoporosis
The doctors suggest lifestyle modifications for those with lower bone mass levels and to control the condition from advancing.
• Focus on Calcium Rich Diet
Our bones are majorly composed of calcium and thus eating food high in calcium may help prevent your bone after menopausal changes. Dairy products, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, soy products are all calcium rich items that contribute to strengthening bones.
• Include Vitamin D
Vitamin D works for maintaining bone health as it enhances absorption of calcium in the intestines, while maintaining the calcium levels in the body.
• Regular Exercising
A medical expert may also suggest exercising regularly because exercises that require weight are an excellent way to stimulate your bone mass.
• Avoiding Falls and Fractures
You must take precautions at home or at work to reduce the risk of fractures and falls. You can prefer installing support rails or grab bars in bathrooms, using nightlights and avoiding placing carpets on floors.
• Limiting Alcohol and Smoking Habits
Osteoporosis Treatment Procedure
Osteoporosis in the early stages requires medical treatment. In the later stages of the disease, sufferers might need injections and medications. For serious, grade-like fractures, surgical inventions might be required.
Prognosis
You can expect to manage your osteoporosis for a longer time, typically for all your life. You’ll require regular follow ups with your medical specialist along with bone density tests. Your doctor will monitor any changes in the bone density and modify your treatment as necessary.
By Dr. Swapnil Gadage, MBBS, MS, Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospital, Nagpur