Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition that results in weak and brittle bones. The name is derived from a Latin word named ‘Porous Bones’, which means having low-density bones. In general, osteoporosis is common among the elderly and women; however, the changing lifestyle and poor eating habits have made this condition popular among people of all age groups.

Recent data from The National Institutes of Health suggests that around 25 million Indians are affected by osteoporosis, regardless of their age and gender. Osteoporosis patients are more likely to suffer fractures or broken bones when performing everyday tasks like standing or walking, affecting bones from the ribs, wrist, hips and spine.

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Simply put, osteoporosis develops when the bones start to weaken, lose density and are more likely to break. This condition is basically divided into senile and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Other different factors contributing to the development of osteoporosis are,

Age: The bone-forming cells gradually decline with age; thus, old aged people have decreased bone-forming potential, which results in a  reduced bone-making capacity. Thus age is the main factor behind senile osteoporosis. 

Limited physical activity: Osteoporosis can be prevented through exercise. If your bones are weaker, proper exercise will help maintain bone strength throughout the life span. Hence, weak bones are more likely to fracture or break without proper physical activity.

Hormonal changes: When a woman enters menopause, their oestrogen levels drastically decrease. It gradually loses control of bone-absorbing cells because they are unable to make enough new bone cells when the estrogen is absent, thus making it a post-menopausal disease.

Diet : Your food has a big influence on how strong your bones are. Certain foods and nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, vitamin K, vitamin B, and vitamin B12, encourage the development of healthy bones and not doing the same could cause osteoporosis.

How Does Osteoporosis Affect Bones?

Osteoporosis makes bones so brittle and fragile that even nominal stress like coughing or bending can break them. Although the entire skeleton may be affected, some bones are more prone. For instance, the vertebral bodies in postmenopausal women are impacted, resulting in microfractures and vertebral collapse.

Symptoms Of Osteoporosis

Mostly you may not notice any change during the early process of bone loss. However, with time, you may experience symptoms like,

  • Bone pain
  • Chest pain
  • Spontaneous fractures
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain in the hip joint
  • Loss of height or bend over time
  • Pneumonia
  • A stooped posture
  • Spinal deformities

Diagnosis Process Of Osteoporosis

Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and perform a medical examination to look for osteoporosis. In order to look for disorders that could lead to bone loss, they might also perform blood and urine tests on you.

Your doctor will probably recommend a bone density test if they suspect you have osteoporosis or are at risk of getting it. Other processes of diagnosis include:

  • Quantitative CT Scan
  • Densitometry
  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

What Are The Treatment Options For Osteoporosis?

Your doctor will work with you to develop a treatment plan if your testing results indicate that you have osteoporosis. In addition to prescribing drugs, your doctor may advise lifestyle modifications – from medications to hormonal treatment and natural treatment like supplements of vitamins, minerals and calcium. You can also prevent the condition by following a balanced diet and exercising to improve the brittle bones.

Sui Ka Pha Hospital is a prominent name for providing patients with extra care. We have a team of doctors that specialises in orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy etc. We aim to provide an array of treatments to the locals that too at a lower price. Connect with our specialists without delay!