Osteoporosis

  • Osteoporosis also known a s fragile bone disease.
  • The bone gets weakened due to poor bone quality and may result in fracture
  • The bone gets weakened due to poor bone quality and may result in fracture
  • Bones that commonly break due to osteoporosis include the vertebrae in the spine, the bones of the forearm, and the hip
  • Bones may weaken to such a degree that a break may occur with minor stress or spontaneously
  • This may result in Chronic pain and patient become unable to carry out normal activities following a broken bone.
  • What are signs and symptoms of Osteoporosis ?
  • It may cause pain when there is a fracture of lower back causing back pain or hip pain due to hip fracture.
  • Once bone has significantly deteriorated, one may have the following:
  • There may be Loss of height due to Compression fractures in the spine
  • Back or neck pain – because the collapsed vertebrae may pinch the nerves that radiate out from the spinal cord. The pain symptoms can range from minor tenderness to debilitating pain.
  • Patient may bend forward due to wedge fracture of spine
  • postmenopausal women having low BMD may have low handgrip strength
  • Patient gums can recede if your jaw is losing bone
  • Inside body, the bones are in a constant state of renewal and remodeling.
  • New bone is formed and replace old bone which got broken down.
  • When you’re young, your body makes new bone faster than it breaks down old bone and your bone mass increases.
  • After the early 20s, one attend peak or highest bone mass after which this process slows (most people reach their peak bone mass by age 30).
  • As people age, bone mass is lost faster than it’s created.
  • Peak bone mass which is attended by an individual at young age decides how frequently you are going to lose them in old age.
  • Peak bone mass is somewhat inherited and varies also by ethnic group.
  • If you have more peak bone mass that means more bone in your bank , less likely you are to develop osteoporosis as you age.
Although men and women can get osteoporosis, this is more common in women because of lack of estrogen or hormonal support at old age. Common risk factors include
  • older age (Age >50 years)
  • Early menopause (going through menopause before age 45)
  • Race (being of Caucasian or Asian decent)
  • If the ovaries removed before age 45
  • having low testosterone level in men
  • having low estrogen level in women
  • taking certain medications that decrease hormone levels
  • immunosuppressive medications and steroids
  • smoking cigarettes
  • having a family history of osteoporosis
  • drinking alcohol frequently
  • not getting enough regular physical activity,
  • kidney failure
  • malabsorption
  • multiple sclerosis
  • leukemia
  • diabetes
  • hyperthyroidism
  • hyperparathyroidism
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoporosis is suspected by your treating doctor if you have any risk factors.
  • The bone density is measured by a DEXA scan machine that uses low levels of X-rays to determine the proportion of mineral in your bones.
  • This is a painless test, you lie on a padded table as a scanner passes over your body. As per evidence, usually it is measured at the hip and spine.
  • Treatment recommendations are often based on an estimate of your risk of breaking a bone in the next 10 years (Which is known as Frax Score).
  • If your risk isn’t high, treatment might not include medication and might focus instead on modifying risk factors for bone loss and falls.
  • Medications include the following:
    • Biophosphonates – This the most widely prescribed osteoporosis medications are bisphosphonates. This includes Alendronate , Risedronate , Ibandronate , Zoledronic acid
    • Monoclonal antibody medications –Denosumab is delivered via a shot under the skin every six months.
    • Bone forming drugs – Teriparatide (Forteo) – This helps in forming new bone and very effective in increasing bone mass. It can be taken for upto 2 years
    • Hormone-related therapy – Estrogen, especially when started soon after menopause, can help maintain bone density. Raloxifene (Evista) mimics estrogen’s beneficial effects on bone density in postmenopausal women, without some of the risks associated with estrogen.
  • Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis.
  • Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.
  • In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven’t fallen.
  • The bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) can weaken to the point of crumpling, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched forward posture.
  • At OARC, we offer holistic care to patients suffering from all kind of arthritis and autoimmune diseases by our renowned rheumatologist.
  • Because of chronic illness of the disease, we spend some time with the patient helping them to know about their disease, and demystify the myths regarding the disease and treatment.
  • We have collaboAStion with NABL accredited laboAStory where all kind of blood tests can be done at reasonable costs.
  • We also have patient support system where patient can approach in case of any emergency.
  • We believe in a friendly relation with patients so that they can share all their sufferings and get the best possible treatment.