Is Your Bones’ Health at Risk? How Osteoporosis can increase your chances of Recurrent Fractures!

The term “silent disease” is a popular one to describe osteoporosis, as it can progress for years without showing any signs. Many people’s bones may already be severely weak and prone to fractures by the time they receive a diagnosis. Osteoporosis, which makes bones weak, brittle, and prone to fracture, is more common in older persons, especially in postmenopausal women. However, you could lower your risk of osteoporosis and keep your bones strong for the rest of your life with the correct precautions, early detection, and treatments.  

What is osteoporosis?

When bones in osteoporosis lose density and quality, they become more brittle and are more likely to break, even from small falls or injuries. The disorder arises from either insufficient bone formation or excessive bone loss. This causes bones to become brittle, porous, and more easily shattering.

Bones are living tissues that are constantly being remodelled, with old bone being replaced by new bone. Osteoporosis occurs when this balance between bone resorption (breakdown) and formation is disrupted, leading to a net loss in bone density. This weakening of bones is most commonly seen in the spine, hips, and wrists, but it can affect any bone in the body.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

A number of conditions can increase the risk of osteoporosis. These risk factors are generally divided into modifiable and non-modifiable categories:

Non-modifiable risk factors:

1. Age:

● The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age, especially after the age of 50. Bone mass typically peaks in the late 20s, and as we age, bone loss becomes more significant.

2. Gender:

● Women are at a much higher risk for osteoporosis than men, especially after menopause. During menopause, estrogen, a hormone that helps maintain bone density, drastically drops, raising the risk of osteoporosis. 

3. Family History:

● If your parent or sibling has osteoporosis, then your chances of developing the condition also increase.

4. Ethnicity:

● Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to get osteoporosis. However, individuals from other ethnic groups, including African American and Hispanic populations, are also at risk.

Modifiable Risk Factors:

1. Diet and Nutrition:

● Low consumption of calcium and vitamin D could cause weak bones since bone strength depends on calcium, and the body needs vitamin D to properly absorb calcium.

2. Physical Activity:

● Osteoporosis risk is increased by a lack of activity. To create and maintain bone mass, you need to do regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.

3. Smoking:

● Smoking has a direct negative effect on bone health by reducing the amount of estrogen in the body and interfering with the absorption of calcium.

4. Alcohol Consumption:

● Because heavy drinking slows calcium absorption and decreases bone production, it can cause bone loss.

5. Medications:

● Certain medications, such as long-term use of corticosteroids, anti-seizure medications, and chemotherapy drugs, can interfere with bone health and raise the risk of osteoporosis.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis develops slowly and may not show any signs at first. However, the risk of fractures increases as the disease develops. The following are the most common symptoms:

1. Fractures:

● The first sign of osteoporosis can be a fracture that occurs after minimal trauma. Fractures mainly occur in the wrist, hip, and spine and can happen even with a minor fall or bump.

2. Back Pain:

● Compression fractures in the spine are caused by osteoporosis, leading to persistent back pain or discomfort.

3. Loss of Height:

● A reduction in height over time could occur from the collapse of the spine’s weakening bones. 

4. Stooped Posture:

● A stooped or hunched posture, often called a dowager’s hump, is common among people with osteoporosis, particularly in the spine.

5. Weak and Brittle Nails:

● A decrease in bone health often reflects overall mineral deficiency, which can also affect the strength of your nails.

Preventing Osteoporosis:

If you adopt some healthy lifestyle choices, then you can successfully prevent osteoporosis. 

1. Adequate Calcium and Vitamin D Intake:

● Bone health depends on calcium, which the body absorbs more easily when vitamin D is present. Aim for 1,000 mg of calcium daily for adults 19 to 50 years old and 1,200 mg for those over 50. Aim for 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D per day or more if suggested by your doctor.

2. Exercise Regularly:

● Bone density is increased and maintained by weight-bearing exercises like walking, running, trekking, and weight training. Also, falls are an important cause of fractures in people with osteoporosis, and exercises that improve balance and coordination can help prevent them.

3. Limit Alcohol Consumption:

● Reducing alcohol intake can help maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis. Limiting alcohol to no more than one drink per day is recommended.

4. Quit Smoking:

●  Give up smoking since it weakens bones and stops the body from absorbing calcium. So, if you give it up, you will have so many advantages for bone health.

5. Bone Density Testing:

● If you’re at risk for osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend bone mineral density (BMD) testing, which measures the strength of your bones. This can help detect osteoporosis early and guide treatment decisions.

Treatment for Osteoporosis

If osteoporosis is diagnosed, the goal is to stop more bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. Treatment options include:

1. Medications:

● Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate and risedronate) are commonly used to stop bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures.

● Raloxifene is one example of a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) that can mimic the beneficial effects of estrogen on bones.

● Calcitonin is a hormone that can help prevent bone loss, and denosumab is a monoclonal antibody that helps protect bone density.

2. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):

● HRT may be suggested for postmenopausal women to raise estrogen levels and stop bone loss. However, HRT is typically used for short-term treatment because of its possible dangers.

3. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH):

● For severe osteoporosis, teriparatide (a synthetic form of PTH) may be used to stimulate new bone growth.

4. Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements:

● Supplements are a great idea to manage your calcium and vitamin D levels if your diet is insufficient.