Osteoporosis – good & bad parts to know

 Globally about one in five men and one in three women above the age of 50 experience osteoporosis-related fractures in their lifetime. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens the bones and makes them more susceptible to fractures. Even minor stresses such as bending or coughing can break a bone if you have severe osteoporosis. Hip, wrist, and spine bones are common bones affected by osteoporosis.

Bone is living tissue, and the old bone tissue is constantly replaced with new bone tissue. Bones are strongest in early life until the late twenties, and you will gradually start losing bone mass after 35. But in some people, the loss of bone mass occurs rapidly, leading to osteoporosis and fractures. Who are they? Postmenopausal women and women above the age of fifty tend to have the highest risk of developing osteoporosis. This may be due to the loss of female hormones estrogen in them. 

Who else is at risk of osteoporosis? People who heavily drink or smoke, have very low body mass index (BMI), take steroid medicines at higher doses, women who had early menopause, or have diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or multiple myeloma are also at increased risk of developing osteoporosis. 

The bad part about osteoporosis is it is a silent disease. Many people with osteoporosis disease do not know they have this condition until a fracture happens. Once the bone is weakened, people may start noticing changes in posture, back pain, loss of height, and shortness of breath. Receding gums, decreased grip strength, brittle fingernails, muscle cramps, or tiredness could be warning signs of osteoporosis in some people. 

Bone mineral density test, also known as DEXA scans, helps physicians confirm the diagnosis. Women above age 65 and men above 70 should consider getting a bone density test. Treatment depends on gender, age, the extent of bone loss, and general health. Generally, it involves a combination of supplements, prescription medications, steps to prevent falls and exercise. The good part is osteoporosis can be prevented if you start taking care of your bones early. Earlier the care, the less likely you are to develop this condition. 

Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, and regular exercise, particularly weight-bearing and resistant exercises, can help prevent osteoporosis largely. Quitting smoking and alcohol drinking is a very important factor if you want to decrease the risk. These habits can also make the treatment less effective. It’s essential to consult a doctor for osteoporosis screening if you have health conditions or are taking medications which put you at risk of osteoporosis. 

Teriparatide is a medication used to treat severe osteoporosis in adults. It regulates the amount of calcium in bones and blood, stimulates bone growth and increases bone density. It is given as daily injections for up to 2 years. Forteo 600 mcg Injection is a product containing the active constituent teriparatide. If you have severe osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may prescribe Forteo 600 mcg Injection.