Did someone you know recently suffer a significant fracture though the fall was minor? Could osteoporosis be the reason for this evident fracture?
The world sees approximately one osteoporotic fracture every three seconds. Studies show that osteoporosis affects an estimated 50 million Indians, but most of them go undiagnosed and untreated.
Osteoporosis is a term that means “porous bone” and is a condition where bones become thin, lose their strength, and their quality is reduced due to low density. This leads to broken bones, causing pain, and disability, making everyday activities extremely difficult.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis risk increases with age causing decreased bone density. It is often called a silent disease that usually causes no symptoms. Many people detect it when they suffer a broken bone from a minor fall or bump.
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Stooping back
- Loss of height
- Shortness of breath
- Bone fractures
- Lower back pain
How does Osteoporosis Develop?
Our bones develop and grow from birth to adulthood until they achieve peak bone mass in the early twenties during which they are at their strongest, densest, and least likely to fracture. Bone is regularly replaced throughout our lifetime, with new bone replacing old bone.
In people suffering from osteoporosis, the lost bone is not replaced, causing the bones to become brittle, leading to breakage over time. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because one broken bone increases the risk of more broken bones.
Risk Factors of Osteoporosis
- Women over the age of 50 years
- Thin and small body frame
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Lack of exercise
- Diet low in calcium
- Certain medical conditions
- Insufficient intake of vitamin D
How To Protect your Bone Health?
Though osteoporosis occurs in older people mostly, the underlying causes can stretch back to childhood. Lifestyle, dietary habits, family history, and even certain medications can all adversely impact bone health.
A few steps to take for healthy bones:
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet
- Get enough Calcium, vitamin D
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
- Know your family history (If you have a family history of osteoporosis, you must discuss it with your doctor and take preventive steps)
- Get tested (get your bone density checked and take medication or make lifestyle changes if required)
Treatment at Lourdes Department of Orthopaedics
Our Orthopaedics department is a comprehensive centre that is dedicated to the bone, muscle, and joint health. We provide a wide range of care including diagnostic care, medication, physiotherapy, dietary guidance, and preventive care.
At Lourdes, we help you reduce the risk of and manage osteoporosis better. We aim to assist patients while easing their symptoms. Book your appointments with our specialist to get access to cutting-edge technology and the most advanced multidisciplinary treatments.
