By Dr. Khoobsurat Najma
About 50 million people in India have osteoporosis or low bone mass. 80% of urban Indian population is vitamin D deficient.
What is osteoporosis?
Bone is composed of tissue and mineral. In osteoporosis, there is loss of both mineral and tissue. Osteoporosis weakens the bone and results in frequent fractures (breaks) in the bones.
- Osteoporosis can strike at any age.
- Osteoporosis affects both men and women.
- Women and men equally begin to lose bone mass in their mid-30s, after menopause women have faster bone loss.
Risk factors
Most important risk factor is Menopause.
Other risk factors:
- Women are at higher risk than men
- Family history
- Small body frame
- Hypothyroidism
- Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Smoking,
- Certain medications (heparin, anti-seizure medications and long-term use of oral steroids)
Symptoms
There are no symptoms in early stages. Once bones are weakened, symptoms include:
- Backache
- Loss of height over time
- Stooped posture
- Bone fracture that occurs easily: Most common fracture sites are wrist, spine, shoulder and hips
Diagnosis
- Bone mineral density scan (X ray) called DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan
- Blood tests: serum Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone
Screening for osteoporosis
- Screening is recommended for:
- Women > 65 years
- Postmenopausal women < 65 years at risk for osteoporotic fractures
- Screening is done using DEXA scan
- Density is measured by T-score.
- T-score < -2.5 indicates osteoporosis.
- T-score -1 to-2.5 indicates milder form of disease and high risk for osteoporosis.
- In patients with negative results, DEXA scan be repeated every 2 years.
Prevention
- Building strong bones is the best defense against osteoporosis
- Encourage children to drink milk and play in the sun to ensure adequate calcium, vitamin D synthesis and exercise.
- Take diet rich in protein and calcium along with calcium supplements.
- Spend 10-15 minutes in sun every day to help body produce Vitamin D.
- Vitamin D is found in eggs, milk and oily fish.
- Exercise daily (30 minutes) to strengthen bones. Even those with osteoporosis can benefit by regular exercise.
- Take stairs to strengthen bones and improve bone mass.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Although bone loss is part of ageing, it can be stopped by medications that prevent further bone loss.
Treatment
- Medications that prevent further bone loss
- Calcium, Vitamin D supplements
- Hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal osteoporosis
Facebook Comments
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My wife is having this problem. She has severe pain at the tail bone. If youcan suggest some solution
Very informative and profitable.
Mr Balbir, she needs thorough evaluation by a specialist.
This very very good informative and usefull tips.
If possible please send the information of relation between psoriasis and osteoporosis.
Prakash jain 9819704431
Really very useful knowledge, Thanks
Mr Prakash, thanks a lot for your feedback. We shall post info on the topic suggested by you very soon
I am a osteopenia patient n vitamin d3 deficient n calcium deficient . Plz can u suggest som medication.
Bharati, you need to undergo thorough evaluation by a specialist. on the basis of your age and Bone DEXA scan, your doctor will start medications. in addition you can start an exercise program after consulting your doctor.
My daughter never drink milk she like to take only in the form of cold coffee what should i do?
Geet, try making milk shakes for her like banana smoothies or mango shakes. introduce milk to her in a fun way so that she gets nutrition as well as good taste.
bone Paine
Informative pc. of text
can u suggest calcium rich vegetables,fruit,grain,dry fruit etc. to meet daily need for adult vegetarian
Mr Nitin, natural sources of calcium include milk and other dairy products, such as hard cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt, as well as green vegetables, orka or bhindi, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, sprouts,green beans, pulses, soyabean, dried figs and almonds.
Thanks for this useful information. And eager to read your all information in future. Kindly provide information about the treatment of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) in advance stage (stage IV)
Hi
Treatment for AVN Stage 4 is Total hip Replacement. Based on age , physical activity and bone quality it can be either cemented or uncemented. Usage of metal or polyethelene or ceramic implants depends on your budget.
Regards.,
Dr.Bahrudeen
Consultant Orthopedic surgeon
Hi Dr. Bahrudeen,
We are always looking to add great doctors to our panel of experts. We would love to have a chat with you. Can we have your number?
Mr Dharmendra, Thanks a lot for your feedback. We shall surely provide info on the topic suggested by you very soon.
Great knowledge given by you.
Suggestion: Translate all articles in hindi also so that everyone understand & take benefit.
Mr Pankaj, thank you for your feedback. we shall surely take your suggestion into consideration.
Really useful. Suggest about medicine.
This is good knowledge for general public, thanks
I have got a lot of use full health information from you Thanks
A really nice information provided by you.plz keep it continue.
It’s very useful news..
It’s helpful information..
Very nice
Thank you very much sir, Very useful message.
from.
Dr zeeshanuddin – very usefull
Am 74 years and have been suffering from this disease last 2 years. Wearing waist belt. Taking vitamin supplements. Don’t have very active lifestyle but go out for 3 hours on social work. Don’t drink or never smoked. What is suggested please?
Mr Sharad, try and include calcium rich foods into your diet. You can consult your doctor for medications that will stop further bone loss in your body.
best
Very useful.
Thank u 4ur valuable information .
Thanks for this useful information. ..
Thanks to give this very nice information
This was really helpful tips.
Nice information
This information is very useful for medical averse to every person THANKS A LOT
Very useful and informative
Very Interesting and Informative.PlsHelp me to Check some of my problems and Remedies out.
1. I am 74 years old. Have left Knee Osterprosis.
2.walk as Regularly as possible once a day in the evening for abot 25/30mins about 2.5/3 kms. But with a knee cap. Its painful to start with but subsisides as you keep walking.
4. Consume Supplements of Shellcal 500 twice daily. And Calcerol once a week.
5. Consume Carrotts Cucumbers Tomatoes. Spinsch. Sprouts..
6. Do Yoga for the forefingers wrist shoulders and for prevention of spondylitis. Is there anything furyher i should do. Would be grateful. Thank you.Rgds.
Mr Ramesh, you seem to be taking good care of your bones. I would suggest you to consult your doctor for a fresh DEXA scan and if required start medications to stop further bone loss.
Please give this type of important knoledge us to know how we prevent in future problem
Thanks a lot Dr najma for the information pls keep updated with all the health care information..
Mr Vipul thanks a lot for the encouragement and appreciation.
Thnq very much and it is very useful to us
Dr najma you are doing a great appreciable job about the awareness for our health and fruitful future.
Keep updating likewise.
I will be very thankful to you.
Mr Vivek, Thanks a lot for your appreciation and encouragement. Our aim is to keep our users well aware and informed about their health and wellness.
Really informative.
Specially terminology used easy to understand even for a non medico.
मै.AVN का पेशंट हु .नया Hip Implant
MDM 3X के बारेमे जानकारी बताने से बडी मेहरबानी .होगी.
Healthy information
Thanks for the tips and help.
Is there a permanent remedy for bone/ cartilage degeneration as my parents and we the siblings (all) are experiencing from the age of 45-50. We are non alcoholic, non smokers with having good nutritious food. Is it heredity?