What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a medical condition characterized by weak and brittle bones that are more susceptible to fractures. It typically develops gradually over years, often with no symptoms until a fracture occurs.
Some key facts about osteoporosis:
- It is most common in postmenopausal women due to declining estrogen levels, but men can also develop it.
- It is estimated that around 200 million people worldwide have osteoporosis.
- Common fracture sites include the wrist, hip, and vertebrae in the spine.
- There are a number of risk factors, such as advanced age, family history, smoking, low calcium intake, and lack of exercise.
Osteoporosis develops when bone resorption exceeds bone formation over time:
- Bone constantly undergoes remodeling - old bone tissue is broken down and new bone tissue formed to keep the bones strong.
- In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance in this cycle leading to greater bone loss.
Some key medication options include:
- Bisphosphonates - the most commonly prescribed drugs that slow bone loss and increase bone density
- Estrogen therapy - can help maintain bone density in postmenopausal women
Lifestyle changes are also important:
- Ensure sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake
- Engage in weight-bearing exercise
- Avoid smoking and excess alcohol
If concerned about brittle bones or risk of fractures, consider seeing a specialist like the hormone health experts at Vitality Hormone Clinic. They can assess your hormone levels with comprehensive testing and create a customized treatment plan involving medication, nutrition and fitness guidance to improve bone health.
I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of the basics of osteoporosis! Let me know if you have any other questions.