World Osteoporosis Day: Your bones need attention!

Osteoporosis

Bones are a part of our skeletal structure and provide our body a framework. It is necessary to maintain bone density since it strengthens our body and withholds stress and pressure!

Osteoporosis is a condition where bone density (mass of the bone) decreases. It is a common condition which has no symptoms but puts our body at high risk of developing fractures. So, osteoporosis itself is not a fatal disease but may put body to develop diseases such as deep vein thrombosis (clot formation due to lack of movement of the body part with fracture).

Osteoporosis means “porous bones”. Usually bone is made of honeycomb like structures and these structures are filled with calcium. In case of osteoporosis, these calcium deposits are released from the bones making these structures hollow and porous. This leads to loss in bone mass and makes them fragile with an increased risk to develop fractures.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis:

There aren’t any major symptoms that are presented in osteoporosis. However, some symptoms may give an indication which includes weak or brittle nails, weakened grip, cracking sound of bones, severe back pain, stooped posture, or frequently occurring fractures.

Risk factors to develop Osteoporosis:

1. Female gender
2. Ageing
3. Low body weight
4. Menopause

5. Smoking history

6. Low levels of vitamin D

7. Hyperthyroidism

8. Medicines such as corticosteroids, cancer therapeutic drugs

9. Being physically inactive

10. Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis

11. Weight loss surgery

12. Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease

13. Thalassemia history

14. Cancer history

Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

To diagnose osteoporosis, a physician may prescribe one or more of the following scans:

1. DEXA Scan: DEXA Scan is a radiological test. It is an X-ray techniques thehelps in determining the bone mineral density. Low levels lead to the increased risk of osteoporosis.
2. Bone X Ray: Bone X-ray is a common radiological test. It gives an image of the bones present in the body. It also helps in diagnosing fractures due to osteoporosis.
3. CT scan of the spine: CT Scan is also a part of radiological test. It helps in determining the alignment of spine or fractures. In quantitative CT (QCT), risk of vertebral fractures along with bone density is measured.
4. MRI of the spine: MRI stands for magnetic resource imaging and is also a radiological test. It helps in determining vertebral fractures.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

There are several types of treatment available for osteoporosis which usually work by different mechanisms which include slowing or preventing the development of osteoporosis, maintaining bone mass, decreasing the risk of fractures, reducing pain due to osteoporosis or fractures, and improving quality of life.

Drugs for Osteoporosis

1. Estrogen or other hormonal therapy: Since menopause is a high risk for osteoporosis, hormonal therapy may help in decreasing the development of osteoporosis.
2. Bisphosphonates: Bisphosphonates help in decreasing the reabsorption of calcium from the bones and hence, maintaining bone density.
3. SERMs: SERMs stand for selective estrogen receptor modulators and is a hormonal therapy for osteoporosis.
4. Calcitonin therapy: Calcitonin is a hormone in the body that helps in maintaining calcium and phosphate levels in the blood.
5. Parathyroid hormones: These are naturally produced in the body and are effective in decreasing the fracture of risk and osteoporosis.
6. RANKL inhibitors: RANKL inhibitors stand for RANK ligand inhibitors and is a new therapy that helps in treating osteoporosis.

With this profound knowledge, I wish you stay up to date and keep a check to prevent osteoporosis.

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