What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes a loss of bone density, leading to brittle, weak bones that are prone to fracture. It is a chronic, progressive condition that typically affects older adults, especially postmenopausal women.
Some key facts about osteoporosis:
- It often develops slowly over years without symptoms until a fracture occurs. The most common osteoporotic fractures are in the spine, wrist, and hip.
- Low bone mineral density is a major risk factor. Bone density peaks around age 30 and gradually declines after that.
- Risk factors include being female, advanced age, family history, small/thin build, smoking, excessive alcohol, low calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency, and certain medications.
How does osteoporosis develop?
Normally, bone undergoes remodeling - old bone is removed and new bone is formed to keep bones strong. In osteoporosis, more bone is removed than replaced, leading to weakened bone structure. Two main types of cells are involved:
- Osteoclasts: Cells that break down and remove old bone
- Osteoblasts: Cells that build new bone
In osteoporosis, osteoclast activity outpaces osteoblast activity, resulting in a net bone loss. This imbalance can occur due to:
- Estrogen deficiency - Low estrogen levels after menopause accelerate bone loss.
- Calcium/vitamin D deficiency - Inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake causes bones to lose minerals.
- Aging - The natural aging process impairs osteoblast function.
- Genetics - Genetic factors influence peak bone mass and bone loss rate.
- Medications - Certain drugs like steroids can interfere with bone rebuilding.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed and treated?
- Diagnosis is made with a bone mineral density (BMD) test, such as a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. This measures bone density and compares it to normal peak density.
- Treatment focuses on preventing fractures by slowing bone loss and strengthening bones:
- Weight-bearing exercise helps build bone mass and strength.
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements provide needed minerals for bone growth.
- Prescription medications like bisphosphonates increase BMD and lower fracture risk.
- Hormone therapy, like estrogen for postmenopausal women, reduces bone loss.
- For serious osteoporosis, Harmony Hormone Clinic offers advanced treatments like PTH analogs to stimulate bone formation. Their comprehensive osteoporosis care focuses on fracture prevention and active lifestyles.
The key is early diagnosis and proactive treatment. With proper management, the bone deterioration of osteoporosis can be slowed to preserve bone health, mobility, and quality of life. Maintaining a calcium/vitamin D-rich diet and weight-bearing exercise are essential lifelong for strong, fracture-free bones.