You’ve probably heard about osteoporosis and wondered, “What is osteoporosis?” As the name suggests, this disease refers to porous bone. The condition weakens bones, increasing the risk of sudden and unexpected bone fractures. Unfortunately, this disease can progress without noticeable symptoms or pain until bone fractures, so if you suspect you have it, we recommend getting checked out by your doctor.
Bones comprise living, growing, spongy tissues. Osteoporosis occurs when the tiny “holes” in the “sponge” grow more prominent than usual. While there are no specific symptoms for this condition, you can watch for signs such as weight loss, bone fractures, and posture change. Thankfully, there are treatments for this condition and ways to prevent it.
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Diagnosis
The best way to diagnose osteoporosis is by letting a professional healthcare provider test your bone health. First, they’ll check the bone mineral density (BMD) through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning (DEXA or DXA scans). X-rays use radiation to determine the solidness of spine bones. The small amounts of radiation are safe.
Risk Factors for This Disease
Several risk factors can increase the chances of osteoporosis, with age and gender being the most common. Here are some risk factors for this disease.
- Age and Gender: Everyone is at risk of developing this disease as they age. However, women aged 50 or older have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. That’s because women experience rapid bone loss in the first ten years after entering menopause.
- Body Weight: Thin and petite people have a higher risk of developing this disease. That’s because they have less bone to lose than individuals with larger frames and more body weight.
- Underlying Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Examples include overactive thyroid glands, weight loss history, celiac disease, and blood diseases like multiple myeloma.
Treatments
There are many ways to treat osteoporosis, including exercise, medications, and vitamins and supplements. However, exercise and supplements are the most recommended strategies to prevent osteoporosis. Some exercises to consider include weight balance and resistance exercises. Weight-bearing exercise can also be helpful.
Visit PHC
Now that you know the answer to “What is osteoporosis” and how to maintain a healthy bone, you need to reduce the risks. The good news is that some risks are controllable, including diet and eating disorders. Thankfully, PHC can help you prevent or treat this disease. We will work together to better your bone health.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment with our professional healthcare providers.
