Osteoporosis is a disease commonly associated with the bones. In this disease the density of the bones are reduced to such an extent that it leads to fractures. Bone mineral density test is conducted to check the health of the bone. It is termed as a “silent disease” because a person might not know that he/she have it until a fracture occurs. In people suffering from osteoporosis it is discovered that bone loss outpaces the growth of new bones.
Primary Causes of Osteoporosis:
Around the world it is discovered that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men are at risk of osteoporosis. Fracture due to osteoporosis is estimated to occur every 3 seconds. The chance of fractures is usually at spine, wrist and hip and it increases with age in both men and women. Younger people may have the symptoms of the disease if they take medications such as corticosteroids. Other reasons of osteoporosis are eating disorders and malnutrition. The following are major reasons behind osteoporosis.
- Drop in estrogen level after menopause
- Family history
- Unhealthy Lifestyle
- Lack of exercise
- Lack of calcium
Primary Symptoms of Osteoporosis:
Symptoms of osteoporosis begins with fractures. This is the reason why this disease is also called ‘silent disease’. Some patients experience pain and weight loss due to osteoporosis and older women experience sudden and severe back pain. Some of the other primary symptoms of this disease include:
- Loss of height over time and a stooped posture
- Fractures of the wrist, hip, spine, pelvis and upper arm
Diagnosis and Medication:
Doctors conduct clinical diagnosis to establish the symptoms and intensity of the disease. The diagnosis includes complete assessment of the medical history of the patient. A specialized x-ray is done to measure the bone density of the patient. A CT scan is also performed to measure the bone density. The treatment schedule of osteoporosis depends on various inevitable factors. These factors comprise the results of bone density scans, patient’s age, gender and the medical history. A number of effective drugs are also recommended to treat the disease. These medications include Boniva, Actonel and Celebrex.