Have you ever wondered why older people get bone fractures frequently? Why they can’t handle any load? How to prevent these incidents? Well, the simple answer would be age, but still different people of the same age have different health statuses. Why is that so? In the next 2 to 3 mint read, you would know the answer.
One of the major issues faced by older people is a degenerative illness called osteoporosis in which bone mineral density and mass declines which in turn weakens the bones increasing the risk of fractures (broken bones).
Osteoporosis is a “silent” illness that usually has no symptoms until the bone becomes so weak that it fractures even on minor trauma. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in old age. Fractures can occur in any bone, however, they are most common in the hip, back, and wrist.
However, you can prevent the sickness and fractures by maintaining physical activity through weight-bearing exercises such as walking, quitting smoking, taking medications, and eating a calcium and vitamin-D-rich diet.
Who is at greater risk of getting osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can occur at any age, however, the chance of acquiring the condition increases with age.
Non-Hispanic white people and Asian women are the most likely to develop osteoporosis.
Some cancer medicines and steroid hormones may raise the chance of developing osteoporosis.
Because women are more likely than males to develop osteoporosis, However, older men and women of all backgrounds are at equal risk of developing osteoporosis.
Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms until a bone is fractured or one or more vertebrae (backbone part) collapse. Symptoms may include severe back discomfort, loss of height, and backbone abnormalities such as bending of the back (kyphosis).
In osteoporosis, the bone becomes so weak that it fractures even on minor falls. There is difficulty walking upstairs and doing work with a bent posture.
Causes
The following factors may raise your risk of osteoporosis:
Sex
If you are a woman, your chances of developing osteoporosis are higher. Men over the age of 70 are also at higher risk.
Age
Bone formation slows with age, whereas Bone loss accelerates. Your bones become weak over time, increasing your risk of osteoporosis.
Body weight
Slender, thin-boned women and men are more likely to develop osteoporosis than larger-boned people.
Race
White and Asian women are the most vulnerable. White men are more vulnerable than African American and Mexican American men.
A family tree
Researchers have discovered that if one of your parents has a history of osteoporosis, your risk of developing osteoporosis will be higher.
Hormone adjustments
Women with low estrogen levels after the age of 45-50 years and men with low testosterone levels can raise the risk of getting osteoporosis.
Diet
A diet lacking calcium and vitamin D can raise your risk of osteoporosis and fractures from childhood through old life. Excessive dieting or a lack of protein may raise your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.
Medications
Long-term use of certain drugs, such as steroids, Breast and prostate cancer drugs, and drugs for stomach acid, depression, and anxiety may increase your risk of developing bone loss and osteoporosis.
Lifestyle
Low levels of physical activity and lengthy periods of inactivity can both contribute to an increased incidence of bone loss.
Chronic high alcohol consumption and smoking are also major risk factors for osteoporosis.
Diagnosis
Doctors typically find osteoporosis during routine illness screening.
Your doctor will make the diagnosis based on the history of your lifestyle habits, such as food, exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking history, and any previous fractures. Additionally, he will also consider;
Current or previous medical problems, a medication used, family history of osteoporosis, and menstrual history, which is important for women.
Your doctor will check your:
Height and weight loss, Posture changes, Gait and balance (the way you walk), and Muscle strength (the capacity to rise from a seated position without moving your arms).
Furthermore, he may request a test to determine your bone mineral density (BMD) in a specific location of your bone, most commonly your backbone and hip.
BMD helps to identify osteoporosis, detect low bone density before it progresses. It also assesses the efficacy of ongoing osteoporosis treatment.
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most commonly used test for determining bone mineral density. It is a quick, and painless test. The test determines the BMD of your skeleton in several fracture-prone areas, such as the hip and spine. DXA test is regarded as the most reliable method of diagnosing osteoporosis and predicting fracture risk.
If your test results show that you have osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes to promote bone health and drugs to reduce your risk of breaking a bone.
Treatment
The goals of osteoporosis treatment are to slow or stop bone loss and to avoid fractures. Your doctor may advise you to do the following:
Positive changes in lifestyle, exercise, diet planning, and medications.
People who acquire osteoporosis as a result of another condition should treat the underlying cause first. For example, if you are using a medicine that causes bone loss, your doctor may reduce the dose or switch you to another prescription.
The treatment plan includes the following;
NUTRITION
Eating a healthy, and balanced diet, containing fruits and vegetables is important for treating osteoporosis.
Your healthcare provider can help you in determining a suitable number of calories you require each day to maintain a healthy weight.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium, vitamin D, and protein-containing foods aid in the prevention of bone loss and the maintenance of overall health.
If you don’t get enough calcium, your body will extract it from your bones, which can lead to bone loss.
Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, vegetables with dark green leaves, and salmon fish. Soymilk, orange juice, cereals, and bread are examples of calcium-rich foods.
Natural sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, fish oils, egg yolks, and liver. If your diet lacks an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D, then you may need to take supplements.
Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle, in addition to a good diet, is essential for optimizing bone health.
You must:
Avoid smoking, limit your alcohol consumption, do proper exercise, and balanced diet.
Exercise
Exercise is an essential component of an osteoporosis treatment plan. Exercise increases muscle mass and strength while improving coordination and balance. This can reduce your chances of falling. It also strengthens and maintains your overall body shape.
Although exercise is useful for persons with osteoporosis, it should not put your bones under high undue stress.
Medications
The following drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis:
Bisphosphonates, Calcitonin, Estrogen and hormone therapy, Parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog and parathyroid hormone related-protein (PTHrP) analog, RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor, sclerostin inhibitor. Your doctor will advise you on the best course of treatment based on your age, gender, and general health.
