Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones weakens, making them fragile and prone to damage. The condition steadily develops over several years and only diagnosed when a minor fall or abrupt impact results to a fracture.
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The common injuries among individuals with osteoporosis include:
- Hip fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Spinal fractures
Nevertheless, they can also affect other bones including the pelvis or arm. Oftentimes, a sneeze or cough results to a fractured rib or incomplete collapse of one of the spinal bones.
It is important to note that osteoporosis is not generally painful until a fracture forms, but the spinal fractures are the main cause of chronic pain. Even though a fracture is the initial sign of osteoporosis, some elderly develops the distinctive stooped posture. This arises if the spinal bones fracture which makes it hard to support the body weight.
Management of osteoporosis
The treatment for osteoporosis is aimed on managing and prevention of fractures as well as using medications to strengthen the bones.
The choice to undergo treatment is based on the risk of fracture. Various factors are assessed such as the age, gender and results of the DEXA scan.
In case treatment is necessary, the doctor can recommend the safest and effective approach.
Prevention
If one is at risk for developing osteoporosis, there are steps that must be taken to keep the bones healthy such as:
- Regular exercise
- Eat a healthy diet that includes foods packed with calcium and vitamin D
- Daily supplements that contain 10 mcg of vitamin D
- Lifestyle modifications such as cessation of smoking and limiting the intake of alcohol