What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a chronic progressive disease characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density responsible for the strength and solidity of the skeleton in general. The loss of density causes an increase in bone fragility, alteration of bone microstructure and, consequently, an increase in the risk of fracture.
What is the impact of this disease on patients' lives?
This disease can be extremely disabling, especially when there are fractures. In addition, it is associated with an increased risk of mortality due to complications that occur due to fractures.
What are the causes of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis occurs when the regeneration of bones no longer follows their degradation. The pores inside the bones enlarge, they have fewer minerals, and then they become more fragile.
Thus, the causes of osteoporosis are multifactorial, that is, they are due to different factors, depending on the type of osteoporosis.
Are there different types of osteoporosis?
yes. There are different types of osteoporosis – primary or secondary – depending on their cause:
- Primary: osteoporosis whose fractures occur as a result of bone loss associated with aging. It is more common in postmenopausal women (type I) and in women and men over 70 years of age, due to aging (type II)
- Secondary: This type of osteoporosis occurs due to other medical conditions, such as chronic illnesses or long-term use of medication.
There is also osteoporosis whose cause is unknown, which is called idiopathic osteoporosis (of no known origin).
What are the risk factors for developing this disease?
There are several factors that can increase the risk of the disease, namely:
- Menopause and hormonal changes that occur in women
- advancing age, the older the age, the greater the risk
- Story of:
- osteoporosis in the family or a history of parents with hip fracture
- previous fractures in adulthood
- high-dose or prolonged corticosteroid treatments for more than 3 months
- calcium deficiency and vitamin D
- low Body Mass Index (BMI)
- unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as:
- smoking
- excessive consumption of alcohol
- Sedentary lifestyle
The presence of other diseases may also be risk factors for osteoporosis, such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis
- inflammatory bowel disease
- celiac disease
- diabetes
- anorexia nervosa
- dementia
- cancer
- hyperparathyroidism (a disease that alters calcium metabolism, especially in postmenopausal women)
Which groups are most at risk of getting the disease?
Most cases of the disease are associated with advancing age and hormonal changes, which occur mainly in women after menopause, due to the reduction in estrogen levels that causes a reduction in bone mass.
Osteoporosis can affect anyone, but it is estimated that one in three women and one in five men after the age of 50 will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.
What are the main signs and symptoms of the disease?
At an early stage, osteoporosis is a silent disease and (almost) never causes signs or symptoms until, in fact, a bone fracture occurs.
However, at a more advanced stage, when the bones are already more fragile/porous, and usually after fracture, the following may occur:
- Loss of height
- Hunched Posture/Appearance of Hunchback
- back pain
What are the complications of osteoporosis?
The weakening of bones, characteristic of osteoporosis, is associated with serious and disabling consequences such as:
- osteoporotic fractures that can cause loss of autonomy
- difficulty supporting the body in the spine
- deformities in the body that cause chronic pain
- depression
- death
What are osteoporotic fractures?
Osteoporotic fractures are fractures that occur due to the fragility of the skeleton of a person with osteoporosis. Generally, they are caused by small falls or simple movements and occur precisely due to the poor density of the bones.
When they occur in certain areas of the body, such as the hip or spine, these fractures significantly decrease the quality of life, due to the patient's loss of autonomy and represent an increased risk of mortality due to post-fracture complications.
What are the most common osteoporosis fractures?
The most common osteoporosis fractures are:
- On the wrist
- at the hip/hip
- on the arm (humerus)
- in the vertebrae of the spine
- in the ribs
Is it possible to prevent osteoporosis?
partly. To prevent osteoporosis and promote good bone mineral density and other bone properties, such as the retention of minerals in the bones, it is essential to ensure healthy lifestyle habits from childhood, namely:
- Adopt a healthy eating, with good nutrition and ensuring healthy levels of:
- calcium, through the intake of foods such as milk, yogurts, cheese
- vitamin D, through daily sun exposure, about 15 minutes
- Engage in regular exercise
- avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products
How is the disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis of osteoporosis involves a complete medical history of the patient and an assessment of the presence of risk factors and recent fractures.
In addition, you may need to take the following tests:
- bone densitometry to measure bone mineral density
- X-rays to identify small fractures that do not cause symptoms
- laboratory tests (to check levels of phosphorus, calcium, among others)
Is osteoporosis curable?
Nope. At this time, there are no treatments that completely reverse osteoporosis. However, there are ways to treat it and help prevent the progression of the disease.
What is the recommended treatment for this disease?
Treatment of osteoporosis may include:
- Improved eating habits
- Regular physical exercise
- quit smoking (smoking cessation)
- calcium supplements and vitamin D
- Bone-Strengthening Medication