Osteoporosis symptoms

Osteoporosis itself does not cause pain or noticeable symptoms, but frequent bone fractures that can alert us about this disease. The most common fractures in the elderly are the wrist and hip in postmenopausal women are prevalent vertebral fractures that cause a major back pain and deformities, together with loss of height due to reduced bone mass in the spine.

Diagnosis of osteoporosis

The diagnosis is made by densitometry that measures bone mineral content in order to determine its density and calcium content. It is therefore necessary densimetry adults ages 45 to 50 years, especially in menopausal women due to hormonal changes that lose more bone.

To diagnose osteoporosis is measured bone density in spine and hip, but can also be measured in the forearm.

Osteoporosis Treatment

To treat osteoporosis can go to pharmacological measures such as antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates, raloxifene, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, strontium salts) Nonpharmacologic measures consist of a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, physical exercise and smoking cessation if applicable.

Osteoporosis in men

Bone mass in men is stable over time and therefore is less common this part of the population. The loss of bone mass from age 70 to be then greater than in women, other factors that increase bone loss include smoking, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle coupled with lack of exercise.

Osteoporosis in men is also caused by an excess of glucocorticoids, it is known that these substances produce a decrease calcium in the body causing a relative state of hypogonadism.

Medical treatment is most commonly prescribed hormone replacement therapy. Prescribed estrogen with or without progestins, at low doses with the idea of recovering the lost endogenous hormone levels with menopause or after surgery in which the ovaries have been removed. Other treatments include calcitonin, bisphosphonates, vitamin D and PTH.

The best treatment for osteoporosis is prevention. An adequate intake of calcium and physical activity during adolescence and youth, may increase the peak bone mass, resulting in reduced bone loss and lower fracture risk in later years. Adequate intake of calcium and vitamins during maturation is essential for bone health.

In cases of early menopause, women should take estrogen to prevent post-menopausal loss of bone is due to add a progestogen if uterus is intact.

Estrogen replacement therapy is effective in preventing post-menopausal loss of bone and is also effective in preventing osteoporotic fractures. Hormone replacement therapy requires close monitoring and careful gynecologic patient selection.

Post-menopausal women with low bone mass or osteoporosis and have established contraindication to hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates (alendronate or etidronate) and calcitonin are effective medications to prevent bone loss.

Walking and stretching exercises of the spine may stabilize or even slightly increase bone mass and improve balance and muscle strength, preventing falls and fractures.

Vertebral fractures should be treated initially with rest, analgesics, lumbostato and rehabilitation. Other possible treatments being studied include vitamin D, fluoride and parathyroid hormone.

One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will suffer a bone fracture due to osteoporosis

A quarter of people who break a hip die within the first anniversary of the injury. A study of the Spanish Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology warns that one in two women and one in four men over age 50 will suffer a bone fracture due to osteoporosis. The broken bone is the result “more serious” of this disease as “one of every four people who fracture a hip die before the year,” said study coordinator, Dr. Manuel Mesa Ramos.

The researchers stressed the importance of preventing a disorder that affects a majority of females from menopause. Once menstruation is lost, it creates a deficit in the production of estrogen or female hormones that, among other functions, has a mission to fix calcium to the bones. This explains why the patient type of osteoporosis is a woman who is over 60 years and goes to the consultation because it hurts his back, in the area of the dorsal vertebrae, the height of the blades, detailed the department head of Orthopedic Surgery Chiron and Traumatology Hospital of Bilbao, Inaki Mínguez.

The first step is usually medical X-rays to analyze whether the cause of pain is poor bone health, due to loss of density. If radiological evidence confirms the suspicion, it is recommended to the patient an active life, including the practice of sport is not aggressive, a balanced diet that is reinforced with calcium-based treatments, and sunbathing for calcium is set at bones due to vitamin D.

“For some women, bone demineralization occurs at a high tempo from the menopause, which usually takes place in around 51 years,” said the head of department for Gynecology and Assisted Reproduction in the same clinic, Dr. Barrenetxea Gorka. Although most bone fragility is linked directly with the production of estrogen deficiency, other risk factors. The first is the excessive thinness. Without actually being overweight, body mass protects against osteoporosis, said Barrenetxea. Smoking is another point against it. “Smokers suffer more osteoporosis,” said the doctor, who also recommended practice moderate exercise. The alcohol abuse is also a negative factor, he added.

Importance of food

“Food is fundamental, but throughout life,” said Inigo Sainz-Arregui, a physician specializing in Nutrition and Family Medicine. “Consuming adequate amounts of calcium is shown to protect against osteoporosis,” he said. Although the peak bone mass is determined by genetics, the density is related to calcium intake during the period of bone accumulation, which occurs from birth to 25 or 30 years. It is therefore important to ensure adequate intake of calcium to avoid risks, said Sainz-Arregui.

Calcium not only found in dairy products like milk, yogurt or cheese, but also green leafy vegetables like cabbage, spinach or watercress. Furthermore, it should consume vitamin D rich foods like fish, eggs and fortified cereals and dairy products to help calcium absorption. Phosphorus fish, eggs, vegetables, meat and cereals also plays an important role in bone health. “In short, a varied and balanced diet with little salt and accompanied by physical exercise is the best option,” summarized the nutritionist.