Osteoporosis
Overview
Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture).
Symptoms
Silent until fracture (wrist/hip/spine). Loss of height; stooped posture; back pain (collapsed vertebra).
Causes
Losing bone is a normal part of ageing, but some people lose bone much faster than normal. This can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of broken bones. Women also lose bone rapidly in the first few years after themenopause. Women are more at risk of osteoporosis than men, particularly if the menopause begins early (before the age of 45) or they've had their ovaries removed. However, osteoporosis can also affect men, younger women and children. Many other factors can also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, including: taking high-dosesteroid tabletsfor more than 3 monthsother medical conditions – such as inflammatory conditions, hormone-related conditions, or malabsorption problemsa family history of osteoporosis – particularly a hip fracture in a parentlong-term use of certain medicines that can affect bone strength or hormone levels, such as anti-oestrogen tablets that many women take after breast cancerhaving or having had an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimiahaving a lowbody mass index (BMI)not exercising regularlyheavy drinking and smoking Read more about thecauses of osteoporosis.
Treatment
Bisphosphonates (Alendronic acid); Calcium/Vit D supplements; HRT; Exercise (weight-bearing).
Prevention
If you're at risk of developing osteoporosis, you should take steps to help keep your bones healthy. This may include: taking regularexerciseto keep your bones as strong as possiblehealthy eating– including foods rich incalciumandvitamin Dtaking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin Dmaking lifestyle changes – such asgiving up smokingand reducing youralcoholconsumption Read more aboutpreventing osteoporosis.
When to see a doctor
See GP for: bone density scan (DEXA) if at risk (post-menopause/fracture).