Osteoporosis is a condition where loss of bone develops to the point where our bones break easily. It is a serious condition that increases slowly as we age. Generally osteoporosis is asymptomatic (we are unaware that we have it) until there is a fall or injury resulting in a fracture. We all get osteoporosis as we age so it is important that we learn about it and try to do something to slow it down or reverse the process.
Common areas of the body where osteoporosis fractures occur:
- the wrist - usually following a fall on the outstretched hand
- the hip - often from slipping and twisting during a fall
- the spine - from bending forward or heavy lifting
Bone tissue is a rigid, living structure that is constantly renewing itself. It is not an unchanging skeleton made of calcium. Microscopic holes are constantly created by bone eating cells called osteoclasts. Once these bone cavities are created, bone building cells called osteoblasts form new bone. This process rejuvenates the bone and repairs any damage.
In early childhood and adolescent years our bones grow rapidly. Good dietary calcium intake and regular exercise in these formative years are important for good bone health and peak bone mass. Bones may reach their mature length or height in the late teens but bone density and strength continue to build along with body weight and muscle strength into one's 20s and possibly 30s.
After you've reached your peak bone mass in your 30s, your body will replace old bones at the same rate that new ones are produced. Starting in your 40s, your bones will start to break down faster than they can be replaced. In women, the hormone estrogen contributes to the bone-building process, so as estrogen levels fall when women approach menopause, the bone loss rate accelerates. Women can lose 40% of their inner bone mass and 10% of their outer bone mass within the 10 years after menopause. This makes it particularly important to increase your intake of vitamin D and calcium, and explore other treatments such as with calcitonin and biophosphonates.
As we approach our later decades of life, many changing conditions make us more susceptible to fractures related to osteoporosis. The most important of these are decreased bone strength and increased risk of falls.
We are more likely to fracture a bone as we get older because of these reasons:
- decreased bone strength due to reduced bone density
- increased tendency to fall due to:
- reduced muscle strength so we are less likely to break a fall
- decreased vision, making it more likely for us to trip
- poor balance mechanism making us more unsteady on our feet
- posture changes resulting in center of gravity changes and more sway as we walk
- changes in blood pressure or heart rate resulting in dizziness and unpredictable falls
- medications that result in weakness or lightheadedness
Obviously, efforts should be made to minimize osteoporosis fractures before they happen. Physicians can identify individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fractures by doing a bone density test. It is also important to investigate whether the person is at a higher risk than normal for falling, especially if something can be done to reduce that risk.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2023. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Learn-About-Osteoporosis