Make No Bones About It—Osteoporosis Is a Serious Condition

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What Is Osteoporosis?

It is a medical diagnosis that you hear about often these days with the advent of new medications and the endless stream of advertisements for them.

But before osteoporosis is diagnosed, it is often preceded by a diagnosis of osteopenia, which affects approximately 40 million people in the US. Left untreated, osteopenia can progress to osteoporosis with far more serious consequences.

The difference between the two is the degree to which bone density loss, in which your bones lose mineral content and increase your risk of fractures, has occurred. The bone breaks often occur from falls.

The Very Word Generates Fear

Naturally, the thought of weakened bones is frightening because strong bones are essential for physical strength, balance, and mobility. Also, it often involves pain.

Thinning bones are often associated with the elderly, but here’s the truth: several factors can promote bone loss, and the process occurs slowly in everyone to varying degrees as they age.

When Does Osteoporosis Manifest?

Your bones are most dense around the age of 25. Most people get their bone density checked every few years after reaching the age of 50 or when they reach postmenopause, but their personal and family history might influence the decision to monitor them more frequently. If you’re curious, ask your doctor about the frequency or even the necessity of obtaining a bone density scan.

Bone Density Scans

These tests are done on one of a variety of machines, and compared to other uncomfortable tests like mammograms or rectal examinations, the process is a breeze. The patient is told to recline on their backs in comfortable clothes that are free of metal items like studs or zippers, and a scanner passes over them during a process that usually takes around 5 minutes to complete.

What Happens After the Exam?

A radiologist then reads the images, provides their assessment in a report, and sends that to your primary physician so they can either give you the all-clear or make recommendations for treatment or lifestyle changes that will slow the progression of your condition.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Some people are more at risk because of:

• Age - after 50, primarily
• Race - White or Asian people are more prone to this condition.
• Family History - Doctors will inquire if your parents or grandparents were diagnosed with it or suffered a hip fracture.
• Size of Your Body Frame - Small body frame size predisposes some people because they have less bone to lose.

• Low Hormone Levels:
• Prostate-treatment medications that lower testosterone in men can make them more vulnerable.
• Menopausal estrogen level depletion in women is a common cause.

• Overproduction of Certain Hormones:
• Overactive thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands can cause problems.

• Dietary Factors:

• Low calcium intake throughout one’s lifetime
• Eating disorders deplete the body’s intake of essential nutrients.
• Gastrointestinal Surgery:

Removal of part of the stomach can adversely impact the ability of the body to absorb essential nutrients such as calcium

Some medications that fight these and other conditions can contribute to bone loss:

• Cancer
• Seizures
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease

CONCLUSION

Although there are contributing factors like age, gender, race, and family history, for most people, osteoporosis is not inevitable and can be avoided through dedication to a healthier lifestyle:

1. Avoid a sedentary routine. Just sitting too much can contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Walking, running, jumping, weightlifting, and dancing are often recommended.
2. Watch excessive alcohol consumption. Get counseling and limit or eliminate your intake.
3. Stop smoking. For reasons not entirely understood, tobacco usage weakens bones. Quit smoking. If you can’t stop, go to a smoking cessation clinic or talk to a counselor who can provide advice and resources.
4. Maintain a diet rich in calcium.
5. Determine your family history and inform your doctor about it so they can help you prevent it.

Take action rather than panic. By taking steps to avoid excessive bone loss and promote healthy bones, people can live long, productive, and active lives.

Want to get into the habit of “Get up and move?” Click on the link under my profile picture to start an empowering conversation about making the needed change.

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