What is osteoporosis?
Often known as with the Latin name as “porous bones”, osteoporosis is an orthopedic disease in which density of bones become less and small spaces inside them become like honeycomb and weaker outer structure. People suffering from this disease often are at high risk of bone breaks and fractures. The most common areas where this disease attack is ribs, hips and bones of wrist and spine.
Signs and Symptoms
- Acute pain in the joints and body
- Pain in upper lower thoracic and upper lumber area
- A sharp pain which increases with movement
- Frequent Fractures
- Pain in the groin, posterior buttock, anterior thigh, medial thigh, and/or medial knee during weight-bearing or attempted weight-bearing of the involved extremity
Who are all at harm
- Women suffering from menopause- Due to hormonal changes, the calcium levels in blood dip. To equalize that the calcium depletion starts from the body and calcium levels in blood gets normal. This leads to decrease in the density of the bones.
- Men above the age of 70 year
- Malnutrition
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pregnancy with poor diet
- Long term use of corticosteroids: The long-term use of corticosteroids often cause decrease in the calcium synthesis which often lead to osteoporosis.
- Smoking- Smoking often causes release of free radicles in the body which bind up in calcium and inert the bone formation.
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Low body weight
- Lower Vitamin D levels: Vitamin D plays goes hand in hand in calcium synthesis and play. important in bone formation. Dip in vitamin D levels often leads to osteoporosis.
What exactly happens in Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue resulting in consequent increase in bone fragility. The disease often does not become clinically visible until a fracture occurs. Its associated with Loss of cancellous bone, accentuation of vertical trabeculae in spine.
Diagnosis
- Radiographic measurement of bone density, iliac crest biopsy.
- Bone mineral density
- Full body scan often known as DEXA scan Treatment/Management of Osteoporosis
- Exercise: consult your physiotherapist and get involved exercise to improve balance which can strengthen posture.
- Nutrition: Getting enough vitamin D and calcium in diet.
- Medication: See you doctor who can involve medications in your regimen for better management of the disease.
- Periodic Checkup: See your orthopedic doctor and get your body checked so that disease progression can be controlled.