Osteoporosis – the disease that accompanies age!

With aging come various changes, which include the skin, hair, strength decreases and the same can be said for bones, they too weaken over time, more in some people, less in others. It's almost the same as a car tire, meaning when a car comes out of the factory it has very good, new, and strong tires, similarly, humans have very strong bones for a while (until the age of 20, bones continue to strengthen, then they weaken).

There comes a time when the car's tires over time are worn out, have thinned, and have lost some of their quality until there comes a moment when these tires suffer a tear and thus head towards the loss of their function. The same thing happens with humans. After some time under the action of various factors, bones lose their density and quality and head towards fracture.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a 'hidden epidemic', I say this because it doesn't present us with warning signs. It is a disease that consists of the progressive loss of bone density and quality, changing its structure, the bone weakens and is more predisposed to fractures, even fractures without a significant cause because the bone has lost its mass and is less resistant to external factors. These types of fractures are often also the first sign of the disease. Osteoporosis is more pronounced in females, mainly after menopause but this does not mean that males are not affected.

What causes it, does lifestyle affect it?

Since osteoporosis is a weakening of the bone, this directs us that there are some factors that lead to this pathology. Osteoporosis can be primary when we do not know the cause but it can also be secondary when we do know the cause of it. I can say that the main factor is the lack of sexual hormones like estrogens in females which occurs after menopause. Similarly, males are at risk when the level of sexual hormones is low (testosterone).

In young people, the amount of bone that is created is greater than the amount of bone that is lost, while when this ratio is disturbed after the age of 20, and we have that the amount of bone that is lost is greater than the amount of bone that is formed then we have weakening of the bone, brittle bone hence osteoporosis.

A sedentary life means less activity, less healthy and this has an explanation. Bone needs minerals, their deposition in the bone is done with the help of muscles, so when they are activated, otherwise the bone will not be nourished.

Who are the most at risk?

Everyone can suffer from osteoporosis but those who have more risk for it, according to studies, are females especially those post-menopause, age is a big factor meaning the older you are the more at risk you are, people who have problems with the thyroid, people with intestinal problems, those who consume alcohol, smokers, people who lead a sedentary life, a diet poor in minerals.

How does it manifest, its signs?

Osteoporosis occurs when the amount of new bone created is smaller than the old bone that is destroyed, as a result bones become weak and brittle, such that a small weight or a stress can cause a fracture mainly of the wrist, thigh or even the spine. Often from a cough or sneeze, a rib fracture can occur.

Usually its symptoms are not in its early stages but there are some signs that can give an orientation towards osteoporosis. Where we can mention: back pain, weight loss over time, a lower posture, fractures that are caused more easily.

If you have these signs you should present yourself to your doctor, and especially if you are post-menopause or have used corticosteroids for several months or if you have a family history where parents have presented with a thigh fracture (femur neck).

How is it diagnosed?

To set the diagnosis it is necessary not only a clinical examination but also X-ray is very helpful. The DEXA test, which measures bone density, is also very important. Based on them, the bone mass is discovered.

What are the treatment possibilities?

To treat is difficult, to prevent is easy. The treatment includes medicamentous treatment which has their efficacy, such as: bisphosphonates, hormonal therapy, calcium, vitamin D, which are prescribed by the corresponding doctor. What I want to emphasize is 'treatment without medications', it is a perspective on how we fight osteoporosis at every moment and how we should fight it. This consists in prevention.

Can it be prevented?!

To prevent is better than to cure. This expression is valid for every disease that each of us suffers from. To prevent means to eliminate risk factors, by avoiding risk factors we have removed the 'food' with which osteoporosis lives, by removing the food there is a possibility that it will not be installed in our body or if it is installed, it is important that the condition does not aggravate i.e. does not worsen.

But how can we prevent it, how can we deal with it?

Quitting smoking, reducing (eliminating) alcohol, a diet rich in minerals as consuming vegetables. I want to emphasize that physical activity plays an important role. Everyone should do physical activity which helps in bone strengthening, because muscles get to work and help in the deposition of calcium in the bone, as a result we have bone strengthening. These activities include walking, cycling, muscular strengthening exercise programs as well as weight training exercises. For this, a physiotherapist can help you a lot who can design a suitable exercise program for you.

Below I present some exercises that everyone can do at least 3 times a week. It is important that you do not get angry with yourself by doing too many exercises as to overwhelm yourself.

World Facts on Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is responsible for most fractures in people over 50 years old. Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will suffer a bone break due to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures per year. Every three seconds, there is a fracture from osteoporosis.

A previous fracture increases the risk of another fracture by 86%.

Urbanization and the aging of the population lead to a rapid increase in the burden of disease from osteoporosis.