What is osteoporosis?

What are osteoporosis risk factors and causes?

• Female gender
• If you are postmenopausal
• If you have an early menopause (before 45 years of age)
• If you have a family history of osteoporosis (that is, a mother, father, sister or brother affected).
• If you have a personal history of fracture as an adult
• If you are very underweight (Have a body mass index (BMI) of 19 or less)
• If you drink too much alcohol
• Lack calcium and/or vitamin D
• Certain medications can cause osteoporosis. These include: use too much of thyroid hormone, long-term use of heparin (a blood thinner), antiseizure medications, and long-term use of oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone).
• Chemotherapy

What are osteoporosis risk factors and causes?

• Cigarette smoking

• Endocrine Disorders such as:

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
Hyperparathyroidism (overactivity of the parathyroid glands)
Disorders of the adrenal glands, such as Cushing's syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism, is a collection of symptoms that develop due to very high levels of a hormone called cortisol in the body.

• If you have an intestinal problem that prevents calcium and vitamins from being absorbed such as occurs in celiac disease and primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• If you have never taken regular exercise, or have led a sedentary lifestyle.

What are osteoporosis symptoms and signs?

Osteoporosis is considered a silent disease because there are often no telltale symptoms until a fracture occurs. Therefore, patients may not be aware of their osteoporosis until they suffer a painful fracture. The symptom associated with osteoporotic fractures usually is pain; the location of the pain depends on the location of the fracture.
The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are wrist fractures, hip fractures, fractures of the spinal bones (vertebrae).
Hip fractures typically occur as a result of a fall. Spinal fractures are the most common cause of long-term (chronic) pain associated with osteoporosis. A slip or strain - or even a simple cough or sneeze - can cause the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine. Over the years, repeated spinal fractures can lead to

• Persistent back pain
• Loss of height
• A stooping posture (curving of the spine due to collapse of the vertebrae)

How can be osteoporosis prevented?

• Taking regular exercise: Doing resistance exercises with weight-bearing exercises can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss.
• Getting enough calcium and vitamin D and eat a well balanced diet
• Not smoking
• Avoiding excess alcohol
• Preventing falls and fractures

What is the treatment for osteoporosis?

• Bisphosphonates: Bisphosphonates include: Alendronate, Risedronate, Ibandronate, Zoledronic acid.
• Raloxifene, a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM)
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Calcitonin
• Denosumab
• Parathyroid hormone (teriparatide)