Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones to weaken. And as bones become weaker, the risk of sudden fractures increases.
Osteopenia is the stage before osteoporosis, in which the first signs of bone loss appear and can progress to osteoporosis. In osteopenia, bone mineral density is lower than normal, but still insufficient to be classified as osteoporosis.
Bone loss over time can be so severe that stress on the bones in normal situations such as sitting, standing, coughing, or even hugging a family member, can result in fractures. These fractures can cause chronic pain or disability.
What are the symptoms?
Osteopenia and osteoporosis are independent of age and sex and are silently and gradually installed over the years. Most of the time, there are no symptoms. You may be experiencing significant bone loss without knowing it. You probably don't realize you have osteoporosis until you have a fracture or notice an obvious change in your posture. Back pain, caused by changes in the vertebrae, can indicate that something is wrong, but most of the time, the first sign of a problem will be a broken bone, often in the back or hips.
What are the causes?
The causes of osteoporosis are not yet fully understood. Bones are complex, living tissues. The body is constantly rebuilding its bone structure.
During the growth phase, the rate of bone tissue reconstruction is greater than the rate of bone loss. Peak muscle mass occurs around the third decade of life. After a certain point, however, the reconstruction process becomes slower and bone loss more accelerated. If it reaches a certain point, you will have osteopenia; if bone loss becomes severe, you will have osteoporosis.
What are the risk factors?
Gender: Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.
Age: Osteoporosis can occur at any age, but the risk increases over time; women over 50 are at the highest risk of developing the problem.
Family history: Osteoporosis runs in families. If a member of your family has osteoporosis or breaks a bone, you are more likely to have the same problems.
Weight and Bone Structure: Thin and short people are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis.
History of fractures: Having suffered a fracture increases the chances of further fractures.
Cigarette: Studies have shown that smokers and former smokers have lower bone density and therefore a greater risk of fractures.
Medications: Some medications used for prolonged periods of time, such as steroids, corticosteroids, anticonvulsants and antacids, can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Lifestyle: diet deficient in calcium and vitamin D, low exposure to sunlight; prolonged immobilization and rest and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to osteoporosis.
Why are women more at risk?
Women are particularly affected by osteoporosis because during menopause, there is a dramatic decline in the level of the female hormone estrogen, which slows down the pace of reconstruction and accelerates the process of bone loss for a period of approximately 10 years after menopause. The rate of loss eventually returns to pre-menopausal levels, but bone reconstruction does not.
How is the diagnosis made?
The test used to diagnose osteoporosis is bone densitometry, a non-invasive X-ray test that measures bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femur and compares the results with predefined reference values based on the young population (peak bone mass): normal: below -1.0; osteopenia: between -1.0 and -2.5 and osteoporosis: above -2.5.
How is the treatment?
Treatments for osteoporosis can include changes in diet, lifestyle, exercises to strengthen muscles, and specific medications that can reduce bone loss or help new bone tissue to form.
Is it possible to prevent?
There are proven ways to prevent osteoporosis and subsequent fractures:
Exercise: Adopt a regular exercise program to strengthen bones and muscles and prevent bone loss. Exercises such as walking, running and racket sports are particularly recommended. Strength and balance exercises help prevent falls and, consequently, fractures. Studies show that women who walk 1.5 km a day have about 4 to 7 years more bone reserve than those who don't.
Diet: Foods rich in calcium help protect bones, regardless of age. Foods derived from milk provide calcium. Fish like salmon and tuna contain vitamin D, which helps with calcium absorption. Vegetables provide magnesium, which is necessary for bone health. Some foods attack your body's calcium.
Cut down on foods high in sodium like canned goods and cold cuts. Your doctor may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain bone mass, especially in patients whose diets are low in milk and dairy products and who get little sun.
If you still don't have problems or are in the osteopenia stage, take the necessary care to reduce the level of bone loss and ensure your future quality of life. If you have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, follow your doctor's recommendations to control the condition and live better with this situation.
Take care of food, take the prescribed medication, ask for help carrying heavy items and use handrails for support if necessary, but get out of the house and keep up your physical activities. Osteoporosis doesn't have to interfere with your pace of life. On the contrary, inactivity harms your health in general, and the health of your bones in particular.
The information contained in this article does not in any way replace the guidelines given by your doctor. Only he is able to diagnose and treat any health problem.
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