Osteoporosis is a severe bone disorder that can affect anyone at any age. However, women are more prone to osteoporosis due to the hormonal changes they have experienced in their lifetime. Women who are in the stage of menopause should be more cautious about the risk factors. Today, we are going to explore various key preventive techniques that you need to follow for osteoporosis prevention.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a silent bone deformer that causes the bones to become more brittle and prone to fracture. Patients who are affected by osteoporosis have a decreased bone mineral density and bone mass density. It can often lead to a hip, wrist or spine fracture.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis can't cause any early symptoms. However, patients may experience the following symptoms if their bones have been weakened by osteoporosis:

1. Pain: Patients may experience back pain, which is caused by broken spine bone.
2. Loss of height: Individuals may experience a loss in height or a slight reduction in height.
3. Brittle bone: Patients may experience brittle bone, which can cause fractures easily.
4. Lower back pain: Individuals may have lower back pain during osteoporosis.
5. Change in posture: Patients may experience a spine malformation, which can lead to stooping or bending more forward.

What are the risk factors of osteoporosis?

It can be caused by the following factors which are given below:

• Age factors: The risk of osteoporosis is increased in patients who are 50 years and above.
• Menopause: Women who are in the menopause stage have a risk of osteoporosis due to hormonal changes.
• Family history: The risk of osteoporosis is increased with individuals who have a family history of osteoporosis.
• Low physical activities: It is estimated that low levels of physical activity for a prolonged period can lead to an increase in the bone loss rate which in turn can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Key Prevention Techniques

Here are some of the prevention techniques that need to be followed to prevent osteoporosis:

1. Dietary Considerations

Eating a diet that contains calcium and vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone health. Calcium is considered a building block of the bone, and vitamin D helps with calcium absorption. Foods like dairy products, leafy greens, vegetables, and cereals are rich in calcium. For vitamin D, incorporate fatty fish like salmon and egg yolks into your meals.

2. Regular Exercise

Engaging in weight-bearing and resistance exercises is essential for bone health. Walking, jogging, dancing, and weight lifting are recommended, as they stimulate bone formation and increase bone density in individuals.

3. Lifestyle Modifications

Following a healthy lifestyle can aid in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Avoid smoking, as it decreases blood supply to the bones and limits alcohol consumption, which can interfere with calcium balance.

4. Bone Density Testing

Regular bone density tests, like DEXA scans, are vital for monitoring bone health, especially if you're at higher risk.

5. Medications and Supplements

For those at significant risk or already diagnosed with osteoporosis, medications can be an essential part of treatment. Teriparatide, known commercially as Forteo injection, is one such medication that can stimulate new bone formation and increase bone density.

The Role of Teriparatide in Osteoporosis Treatment

For individuals with severe osteoporosis or those who have suffered fractures, teriparatide can be a crucial treatment option. It is an anabolic agent that helps to stimulate the formation of new bones by increasing the activity of osteoblasts (bone-building cells). It aids in increasing bone density and reduces the risk of fracture in bone cancer patients.

Regular bone density testing and appropriate medical interventions for those at high risk, can effectively manage and mitigate the effects of osteoporosis.

Other treatment approaches:

1. Hormone replacement therapy: Women who are in the menopausal stage may be recommended to treat with estrogen therapy, which can help to maintain the bone density in them.
2. Bisphosphonates: Your doctor may prescribe you bisphosphonates, which helps to reduce bone loss in osteoporosis.

End Notes!

Osteoporosis is a crucial condition that can be managed with proper treatment. However, it is better to prevent yourself from these bone deformities by following the lifestyle mentioned above. It is advised to be cautious and schedule a doctor checkup for women who are in the menopausal stage to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.