Outline
Short & Sweet Intro🧁
Osteoporosis is a progressive disorder that affects bone strength and bone mineral density. The bones of a patient with osteoporosis are so weak and fragile that mild pressure such as coughing can cause a fracture. Hence, this disorder is hard to diagnose until the patient experiences a fracture from mild pressure.
Causes
Bones are tissues that need constant replacement to stay healthy. In younger years, the replacement process happens flawlessly and bone strength is at its peak. However, the process becomes less efficient over time after 35 years of age. In a patient with osteoporosis, this replacement becomes extremely inefficient compared to a healthy person. More bone mass is lost than replaced, causing a decrease in bone mineral density and strength. Some risk factors that make a person prone to osteoporosis are stated below.
Excessive smoking and/or drinking
High dosage steroids
Pre-existing inflammatory or hormonal conditions
Family history of osteoporosis (If predecessors had weak bones, the next generation will have weaker bones at birth. There is already lesser bone mass than normal at younger ages)
Eating disorders
Low BMI
Minimal physical activities
Older women past menopausal age (After menopause, the production of oestrogen decreases drastically. Oestrogen maintains bone strength in women)
Symptoms
Osteoporosis is known as a “silent” disease. This is because symptoms are not usually recognizable, or often mistaken for signs of old age. Mild pressure such as coughing, sneezing, or falling from standing height may cause a fracture. Fractures are more prone to occur in the wrist, hip or spine. Spinal fracture may cause stooping and other changes in posture in the patient. It may also cause back pain and loss of height.
✨Diagnosis✨
Osteoporosis is diagnosed by a DEXA (Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) test that analyses bone mineral density (BMD). It is used to detect the bone strength of the patient, which is then compared to the bone strength of a healthy young individual. The procedure is short, painless, and lasts for 10-20 minutes. The time duration of the test depends on the part of the body it is performed on. The difference in bone strength of the patient versus a healthy individual is represented as a T score by using standard deviation. Using the following parameters, osteoporosis is confirmed or denied :
Higher than -1.0 : healthy bone mass, no osteoporosis
Between -1.1 and -2.4 : mild loss of BMD, possible osteopenia
Lower than -2.4 : Heavy BMD loss, osteoporosis confirmed
A FRAX test is performed on patients with osteopenia to confirm the disorder and choose appropriate treatment
Treatments🔥
Osteoporosis cannot be cured, but a healthcare professional may offer treatment to slow the progression of the disorder. The treatment given to a patient depends on their age, sex, and DEXA results. The patient will be advised lifestyle and nutritional changes. This includes more physical activity in their daily routine, as well as increased intake of calcium and vitamin D in their diet. Vitamin and mineral supplements will help patients achieve their diet goals
Prevention
Preventing osteoporosis is very similar to the treatment given to patients with osteoporosis. Physical exercise will help maintain bone density and also slow the natural process of bone degeneration. It is a well known fact that calcium is essential for bone growth and development. Professionals recommend 18-50 year olds to have 1000 mg of calcium and 50+ year olds 1,200 mg of calcium per day in their diet. Natural sources of calcium are dairy products, leafy greens, fish, soy products and orange juice. Including Vitamin D in the diet helps improve absorption of calcium into bones. Natural sources of Vitamin D are cod liver oil, trout, and salmon. Vitamin D is also absorbed by the body through sunlight. However, people living in certain regions do not get much exposure to sunlight. To help improve Vitamin D and calcium intake, you can take supplements with permission of your healthcare provider.
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