Related Issues. Videos and Tutorials. Osteoporosis Medical Encyclopedia Also in Spanish. Statistics and Research. Clinical Trials. Article: Evaluation of efficacy and safety of vertebroplasty in the treatment of Article: Effect of dietary sources of calcium and protein on hip fractures Osteoporosis -- see more articles.
If a break occurs in the spinal vertebrae, it can lead to changes in posture, a stoop, and curvature of the spine. People might also notice a decrease in height or their clothes may not fit as well as they did previously. Severe discomfort in any of the common locations for osteoporotic bone damage could indicate an unexpected or unidentified fracture.
People at risk of osteoporosis and fractures can use preventive lifestyle measures, supplements, and certain medications to achieve these goals. Drugs that can help prevent and treat osteoporosis include:. Doctors may use stem cell therapy to treat osteoporosis in the future. In , researchers found that injecting a particular kind of stem cell into mice reversed osteoporosis and bone loss in a way that could also benefit humans.
Scientists believe that genetic factors strongly determine bone density. Researchers are investigating which genes are responsible for bone formation and loss in the hope that this might offer new osteoporosis treatment in the future.
Doctors have identified several risk factors for osteoporosis. Some are modifiable, but it is not possible to avoid others. The body continually absorbs old bone tissue and generates new bone to maintain bone density, strength, and structural integrity. Bone density peaks when a person is in their late 20s, and it starts to weaken at around 35 years of age, As a person grows older, bone breaks down faster than it rebuilds.
Osteoporosis may develop if this breakdown occurs excessively. It can affect both males and females, but it is most likely to occur in women after menopause because of the sudden decrease in estrogen.
Estrogen normally protects women against osteoporosis. The IOF advises that once people reach 50 years of age, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience fractures due to osteoporosis.
Some of the risk factors can be reduced through lifestyle changes or medications but others, such as your age, cannot be changed. Risk factors that cannot be changed include: being over 70 years of age being female having fallen in the past your parents having had hip fractures early menopause Risk factors that can be reduced include:. You can find out more about how your risk factors affect your chance of developing osteoporosis by using the Know your Bones self-assessment tool , developed by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Healthy Bones Australia.
Osteoporosis is diagnosed based on your medical history, a physical examination by your doctor, and a bone mineral density test. If your T-score is The higher your T-score, the healthier your bones are.
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but the symptoms of the disease can be managed with medicines and lifestyle changes. Depending on your age, sex and medical history, your doctor will recommend different treatments that will be able to help you.
The aim of treatment is to strengthen your bones so that they are less likely to break, and to prevent falls that could damage your bones. Falls are a major source of injury in older people, and osteoporosis makes it more likely that you will be seriously injured after even a minor fall. Exercise can strengthen your bones and muscles and decrease your risk of falling.
Your doctor or physiotherapist can help you build a safe exercise plan which suits your needs and reduces your risk of fracturing your bones.
This may include strength training, like lifting weights, and weight bearing exercises exercise done while on your feet so you bear your own weight like brisk walking, jogging, tennis or volleyball. Exercises that help improve your balance are useful to help avoid falling over in the future. Examples of some exercises that can help you improve your balance are:. Maintaining a healthy weight can also help you manage osteoporosis.
Stopping smoking and reducing your alcoholic consumption to just 2 standard drinks a day can improve your bone strength. Reducing your likelihood of falling is also important.
Consider how you might arrange your home and workplace so you are less likely to trip — for example by fixing down rugs and keeping the floor clear. Wearing sensible shoes and glasses if you need them can also help to keep you stable as your move around. If you have osteoporosis, you doctor may recommend medicines to strengthen your bones. These medicines can include:. Sometimes osteoporosis can be painful.
Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to help you choose a pain medicine that is suitable for you. Osteoporosis cannot be entirely prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the disease. Men over the age of 50, and post-menopausal women those who no longer have periods should discuss their calcium and vitamin D levels with their doctor to check if they could benefit from more calcium or vitamin D.
Peak bone mass is partly inherited and varies also by ethnic group. The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone you have "in the bank" and the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis as you age. A number of factors can increase the likelihood that you'll develop osteoporosis — including your age, race, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions and treatments. Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too little of certain hormones in their bodies.
Examples include:. Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and cortisone, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process. Osteoporosis has also been associated with medications used to combat or prevent:. The bones that make up your spine vertebrae can weaken to the point that they crumple and collapse, which may result in back pain, lost height and a hunched posture. Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis.
Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury. In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven't fallen. The bones that make up your spine vertebrae can weaken to the point of collapsing, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched forward posture.
Good nutrition and regular exercise are essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life. Men and women between the ages of 18 and 50 need 1, milligrams of calcium a day. This daily amount increases to 1, milligrams when women turn 50 and men turn If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, consider taking calcium supplements.
However, too much calcium has been linked to kidney stones. Although yet unclear, some experts suggest that too much calcium, especially in supplements, can increase the risk of heart disease. The Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that total calcium intake, from supplements and diet combined, should be no more than 2, milligrams daily for people older than Vitamin D improves the body's ability to absorb calcium and improves bone health in other ways.
0コメント