Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes a loss of bone density, deteriorating the bone tissue. This makes bones brittle and more susceptible to fractures. Osteoporosis literally means "porous bones" - the integrity of the bone deteriorates as mineral content and bone protein matrix declines.
Who is affected by osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can affect both men and women, but it is most common in postmenopausal women due to declining estrogen levels. Other risk factors include:
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Often there are no visible symptoms or pain in the early stages of bone loss. This is why osteoporosis has been called a "silent disease". Some signs that may indicate osteoporosis:
Fractures most often occur in the hip, spine, and wrist. These broken bones are what cause pain and disability from osteoporosis.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Osteoporosis is diagnosed through a bone mineral density (BMD) test, such as a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. This scan measures bone loss. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when bone mineral density is significantly lower than average peak density.
Doctors may also run blood and urine tests to check for issues that could cause bone loss, such as low vitamin D, thyroid problems, or high calcium levels.
How can osteoporosis be prevented and treated?
Building strong bones in youth and middle age can help stave off osteoporosis later on. Good nutrition, weight-bearing exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits are important:
There are also several medication options to slow bone loss and reduce fracture risks, like bisphosphonates, hormone therapy, RANK ligand inhibitors, and parathyroid hormones.
While osteoporosis cannot be cured, the deterioration of bone tissue can be prevented and managed to avoid serious fractures through early diagnosis, proper treatment, nutrition and exercise. Maintaining healthy strong bones is a lifelong process.
I tried to provide a comprehensive overview of osteoporosis - defining what it is, who it affects, symptoms, diagnosis, and tips for prevention and treatment. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!