Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes your bones to become brittle and more likely to break.
In other words, osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones, causing them to become thin and fragile.
Furthermore, bones become porous, making them more likely to break or fracture.
Certainly, osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases worldwide, especially for people over 50 years.
There are two main types of osteoporosis: postmenopausal osteoporosis and menopause-related osteoporosis.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis occurs after menopause when estrogen levels begin to decline; it affects approximately one in three women over age 50 years old.
Menopause-related osteoporosis occurs before or during menopause; it affects approximately one in four women over age 50 years old.
However, there are several factors that can cause osteoporosis, let’s discuss in the coming section.
Contents
Causes of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis usually occurs when bone density is lost over the years due to issues like genetics and aging.
Yet, some other factors can cause osteoporosis, including:
1. Age
As we age, the rate of bone turnover increases, and the number of bone cells atrophy.
Furthermore, this results in bone mass loss, leading to osteoporosis.
According to research, after the age of 50, the risk of osteoporosis increases.
2. Gender
Osteoporosis is a condition that can affect anyone, but it usually occurs in women.
Studies show that the disease affects one in five women and one in ten men.
3. Medical Condition
Several medical conditions can lead you to osteoporosis, including:
- Kidney or liver disease.
- Cancer.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- HIV/AIDS.
- Anorexia nervosa.
4. Lifestyle
Due to the busy schedule, people cannot follow a healthy lifestyle, which may lead to osteoporosis.
Studies state that an unhealthy lifestyle can be a significant cause of osteoporosis.
Moreover, the chances of getting this disease are high if a person smokes or takes alcohol.
Treatment of Osteoporosis
According to the best Orthopedic doctor in Patna, osteoporosis treatment depends on the type of bone loss you’re experiencing and the severity of it.
The sooner you treat the condition, the better your chances of avoiding serious complications such as broken bones.
Note: If you or a loved one has osteoporosis, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
However, there are some general guidelines to follow when treating osteoporosis, including:
#1. Proper Nutrition
The best thing you can do to prevent osteoporosis is to take proper nutrition.
So, the first step in treating osteoporosis is to make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
Moreover, you can take these nutrients from your regular diet or some additional supplements.
Many professionals suggest that people at risk for osteoporosis take multivitamin supplements containing calcium and vitamin D.
In addition, you should also try to include foods high in calcium in your diet.
For instance, you can eat dairy products, calcium-fortified juices, soybeans, sesame seeds, and dark green vegetables like collard greens and broccoli.
Note: Calcium and Vitamin D plays a major role in strengthening the bone and increasing bone density.
#2. Lifestyle Changes
A healthy lifestyle can help you prevent osteoporosis, but it won’t be enough on its own.
Moreover, you need to consider making some changes in your lifestyle if you want to reduce the risk of developing it later on down the line.
The changes you should make to avoid osteoporosis include:
- Avoid tobacco, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
- Get enough sleep each night (7 hours).
- Be active throughout the day (not sitting at your desk all day).
- Reduce stress levels by practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Follow a balanced diet (including plenty of fruits and green vegetables).
- Perform regular exercises, especially stretching exercises.
Also read: Best Exercises for Building Bone Density.
Thus, these are some lifestyle changes that you should make to prevent this bone disease.
#3. Medication for Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis drugs/medications are available in pill form and come in different strengths, depending on your case’s severity.
Moreover, they can be taken by mouth or injected into the body.
Some people need more than one drug at a time because they experience side effects from some of them or don’t respond well enough to others.
You should consult a doctor and ask for medications before your bones become too weak to work properly.
Some of the medicines that your doctor may advise are Alendronate (Fosamax), Risedronate (Actonel), Ibandronate (Boniva), and more.
Note: Medication is used to treat osteoporosis but does not reverse the condition.
Moreover, medication helps prevent further bone loss and may slow down the progression of the disease.
Thus, these are the treatments for osteoporosis that you can follow.
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become porous and brittle. It can occur at any age, but most often, it occurs after the age of 50.
Moreover, it is one of the most common causes of bone fractures in older adults.
Furthermore, there are several factors that can cause this disease, such as age, medical condition, and more.
But you can prevent these causes and symptoms by following the treatment of osteoporosis that we have mentioned above.
Note: If the treatments don’t work, you must consult the best Orthopedic doctor in Patna.
