What is Osteoporosis?
Osteo means bones poroisis means porous. Osteoporosis is a condition of bones that causes the bones to become porous, brittle and weak. Bones become so weak and brittle that even mild stress will cause a fracture. These fractures occur mostly in the hip, wrists, and spine. Osteoporosis can affect all men and women, but women especially older women who are past menopause phases are more prone to osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Usually, no symptoms appear in the early stage of osteoporosis. Once the bones have weakened, the following symptoms appear.
- Back pain
- Stooping posture
- Bone breakage
Causes
Our bones are in constant wearing and tearing phase. Old bone is broken down and new bone is made. The likeliness of developing osteoporosis depends upon the bone density you acquired in your youth. Higher the bone density, the more you have bone mass in reserve and lesser the chance of developing osteoporosis.
Risk Factors
There are certain risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Age
- Family history
- Body frame size
- Hormones like sex hormones, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal
- Dietary factors
- Certain medical conditions
- Sedentary lifestyle
Treatment and Prevention
- Good nutrition and regular exercise can help bones remain healthy.
- Intake of nutrients like vitamin D, calcium supplements
You can consult the best orthopedic doctor in your area for the treatment of osteoporosis through HospitALL app or website.