Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone or when the bone formation is too little. As a result, bones become âporousâ; weak and fragile and can easily break (fracture) from a fall or even from minor injury.
Osteoporosis means âporous bone.â When seen under a microscope, a healthy bone is similar to honeycomb. In osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. Osteoporotic bones have low bone density and are fragile. A DEXA scan is the diagnostic test for osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is Common
With advancing age Osteoporosis becomes commoner. In women older than 60 years more than two thirds may have osteoporosis. One in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older are likely to fracture a bone due to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is Serious
Bone Fracture is a serious complication of osteoporosis, especially with older patients. Osteoporotic bone fractures are most likely to occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too. The complications of fractures can be serious. In addition to causing permanent pain, osteoporosis causes some patients to lose height. When osteoporosis affects vertebrae,, it often leads to a stooped or hunched posture (scoliosis). Many patients become bed bound after a serious fracture and may develop complications such as pneumonia, embolism, and can even have a higher risk of death.
Osteoporosis Can be Silent!
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease. Fracture (Breaking a bone) is often the first sign of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Can be Treated!
In addition to fixing the fracture, treatment of osteoporosis is possible. The treatment will prevent further fractures.
The key steps in treatment include
- Identifying any causes for osteoporosis
- Correcting metabolic abnormalities such as vitamins D deficiency and calcium deficiencies.
- Improving bone by the use of medicines that form bone (anabolic agents) or medicines that inhibit the resorption of bone (antiresorptive agents). There are many choices.