Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?

• Osteoporosis means porous bones

• The bones become weak and brittle

• Mild stresses can cause fracture e.g. bending over, coughing

• The (bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced

• Osteoporosis is more common among women than men

Signs and Symptoms

• In early stages of bone loss , there is no pain or symptoms

• Once the bones have been weakened then the signs and symptoms include :

• Back pain

• Loss of height over time, because of stooped posture

• Fracture of the bones like vertebrae, wrists , hips or other bones

Causes

• The strength of the bone depends on their size and density

• Bone density depends in part on the amount of calcium , phosphorus, and other minerals

• When the bones contain fewer minerals than normal they are less strong

• Bone is continuously changing-new bone is made and old bone is broken down - a process called remodeling, or bone turnover

• Full cycle of bone remodeling takes about two to three months

• When you are young, body makes new bones faster , then it breaks down old bone and your bone mass increases

• Bone remodeling slows down as we get older, especially at menopause

• At menopause , the estrogen level drops and the bone loss increases dramatically

The factors that keep bone healthy

• Regular exercise• Adequate amounts of

calcium• Adequate amount of

vitamin D, which is essential for absorbing calcium

Risk factors

• Your sex – fractures from osteoporosis are about as twice as common in women then in men

Women start with lower bone mass

Sudden drop in estrogen at menopause

• Age – The older you get, the higher risk of osteoporosis

Your bones become weaker as you grow old

• Race – Occurs in all ethnic groups Asian or European

• Family history-heredity

• Frame size – exceptionally thin or small body frames

They have less bone mass to draw from as they age

• Tobacco use -Smoking also results in

increased breakdown of estrogen , lower body weight and earlier menopause, all of which contribute to lower bone mineral density

• Alcoholism

• Lifetime exposure to estrogen – greater the exposer lower the risk.

For example early menstruation and late menopause

If abnormal periods or ovaries surgically removed before age 45 with receiving hormone therapy , the risk is more

• Eating disorders

• Corticosteroids medications

The medicines given for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis is damaging to bone

The doctor should monitor bone density and give drugs to prevent bone loss

• Thyroid Hormone - If the thyroid is overactive or under active

Abnormal functioning

• Some diuretics – some drugs cause kidney to excrete more calcium.

Result in thinning of bone

Low calcium intake

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Excess soda consumption - many of which contain phosphoric acid. suggest soft drinks may displace calcium

• Depression

When to seek Medical Advice?

• Early detection is important

Prevention

• Getting adequate calcium• Getting adequate vitamin

D• Exercise• Add soy to your diet• Don’t smoke• Consider Hormone

therapy• Limit caffeine

Thank you

• Prepared by:Dr. Anita TamrakarReference:www.learningpoint.yolasite.

com