Osteoporosis

What you need to know about bone loss

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bone material to become weak and porous, leading to frequent fractures and spinal compression. It is generally more common in elderly women, but also affects men. Hip fractures are a leading cause of death among the elderly, so it is important to take steps to prevent osteoporosis whenever possible.

Causes and Symptoms

The most common cause of osteoporosis is a low level of calcium and other minerals vital for bone health. Over time, this lack of calcium and phosphorus will create small pockets in the bone, making it less dense and more porous. Osteoporosis treatment options are limited because there are often no visible symptoms until one of the weakened bones fractures.

Occasionally, a person will begin to visibly stoop forward or may even develop a hump in their spine. This is usually an indication that the bones of the spinal column are weakening, so see a doctor if you notice these symptoms. Regular physicals may also show a gradual loss of height over the years, which is a likely sign of spinal compression from osteoporosis.

Other Risks

Other risk factors for osteoporosis include cigarette smoking, anorexia or other eating disorders, family history, excessive alcohol consumption and lack of calcium in the diet. Some medications may increase the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. Be sure to compensate with extra calcium and phosphorus if you take steroids or similar drugs. Low testosterone levels are often found in men with osteoporosis, so have your doctor test this if you are concerned. Women who have had a longer postmenopausal interval have shown greater incidence of osteoporosis, but it is not known if this is a cause or simply a coincidence.

Lack of exercise can also be a major factor in causing osteoporosis. It is well known that weight-bearing exercises such as walking and weight training can significantly increase bone density and reduce the occurrence of fracture. This can be a serious problem for seniors who have been confined to a hospital bed for any length of time. Be extra careful after any prolonged illness or bed rest. Even after bone weakness has developed, light exercise can be an effective osteoporosis treatment.

Treatment

There are several osteoporosis treatment options to choose from, including medication, exercise and diet modification. The first step is to add more calcium and vitamin D to your diet. This will not reverse existing damage, but it may prevent further bone loss. Osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax and Evista have emerged on the market to both reverse the damage and protect your bones from weakening.