Osteoporosis Management

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?                    

Osteoporosis is a disease affecting the bones leading to an increased bone fracture. Osteoporosis is caused due to the decrease in Bone Mineral density (BMD) and change in the amount of various proteins in bone due to these reasons the bone micro architecture is disrupted and leads to bone fracture. Osteoporosis is found more frequently in females after the permanent cease of their fertility, it is also found in men but not so often and found in all kinds of people having genetic hormone disorders. Osteoporosis can also be induced by other chronic diseases such as lupus. Chronic disease management of osteoporosis is mainly change in lifestyle, diet habits and medications.

HOW CAN OSTEOPOROSIS BE RECOGNIZED?

Osteoporosis by itself has no symptoms the only symptom is an increased risk of bone fracture. Following are the main symptoms:

1. People suffering from osteoporosis may break their bones in situations where a normal person won’t in fact this is the only symptom of osteoporosis. Areas normally subjected to fractures are Hip, Vertebral column, rib and wrist.

2. Symptoms of these fractures are sudden shooting pain in these areas repeated vertebral collapse can lead to a stooping posture.

3. Long born & hip bone fractures can impair motion temporarily

Hip bone fractures should be immediately subjected to surgery taking into account their seriousness. Fracture risk calculators like FRAX and DUBBO are available for calculating the potential risk of the fractures as well as osteoporosis by considering many factors such as BMD, smoke and liquor habits, age, sex etc. steps for chronic disease management of osteoporosis follows.  

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF OSTEOPOROSIS:    

Chronic disease management of osteoporosis deals with control and prevention rather than treatment. Following are the prevention methods:

1. Change of life style: Smoking and alcohol consumptions are one of the main driving factors for osteoporosis. Cessation of smoking and controlled alcohol consumption is with one or two hours of exercise is advisable for the prevention of osteoporosis.

2. Food: Change in nutritional plans is necessary for osteoporosis patients. Diets should include sufficient amount of calcium and vitamin D. Protein intake is not recommended as it enhances calcium excretion through urine and hence it can cause borne fractures.

3. Medication: Medication measures include intake of calcium tablets, bisphosphonate, estrogen replacement therapy, injection of mild amounts of male testosterone also helps treatment of osteoporosis.