Osteoporosis means porous and hollow bones and when a person has osteoporosis, she is more likely to get easy fractures of the bones. Osteoporosis happens both in men and women but more commonly in women. It is estimated that 50% women 50 years or older will have at least one osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Shocking…and the truth is that women are still ignorant about it.
1) Back pain: Most of the time bone loss may occur silently and the first sign could be a back pain. Occasionally vertebral fractures happen on their own, without any triggering factor and the result is a nagging bone pain which refuses to go away and it is the nature’s way to tell us that something is wrong.
2) Hip or wrist fracture with minor fall: The first places where the bone density starts to decline are the lower spine and hip followed by other bones. These places are therefore most likely to get fractured easily. In any such event, one should get a DEXA scan to assess the bone density after consulting their doctor.
3) Change in posture and an obvious stoop: This again would happen when the bone is lost from the vertebral column and becomes more prominent as we age. Bone loss occurs in all people with age but only in some it will become great enough to cause osteoporosis. In women the greatest bone loss occurs 3-5 years after menopause. Therefore the older you are the greater are your chances of developing osteoporosis.
4) Thin and small framed women are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Also a family history, having thyroid disease, arthritis etc would increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Indians by birth are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, lack of sunlight and vitamin D are other common habits leading to weak bones.
5) Osteoporosis is still considered an irreversible problem. Drugs may reduce further bone loss but may not replenish the bone which is lost already. Therefore it is important to have a good active lifestyle during one’s younger years by exercising and eating calcium and vitamin D rich foods like milk, eggs, fish and green vegetables.