Osteoporosis is a danger and a threat that manifests itself when it is impossible to cure or stop the process. After all, bone fractures are a sign of neglected, undiagnosed osteoporosis. After fractures, the bones grow together very "reluctantly"; and slowly, which greatly spoils the quality of life of patients. The task of doctors is to identify the onset of osteoporosis in time and compensate for it as long as possible. How to detect osteoporosis in the early stages? Why is osteoporosis so dangerous? Read on estet-portal.com
What is osteoporosis? Why do bone fractures happen?
Osteoporosis is a chronic progressive disease, which is characterized by a violation of phosphorus-calcium metabolism and is accompanied by a violation of bone density throughout the skeleton. Bone fractures in osteoporosis are provoked by both a decrease in bone mass and damage to the microarchitectonics of bone structures. Estrogen deficiency plays a role in the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency leads to an imbalance between resorption and bone formation.
Osteoporosis can be primary (postmenopausal, senile, senile) and secondary (due to malnutrition, alcohol abuse, smoking, diabetes mellitus, hyperactivity of the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex, ovarian dysfunction).
What is the danger of osteoporosis?
In almost all cases, osteoporosis is asymptomatic and its first symptom may be a fracture. But not every fracture should be regarded as a manifestation of osteoporosis. Fracture resulting from any non-severe action (coughing, sneezing, opening the window) can be regarded as a symptom of osteoporosis. Also, an x-ray examination may accidentally reveal a compression fracture of the vertebrae. Osteoporosis can affect any bone, but the most common are the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae and the distal radius.
This is what osteoporosis is dangerous. After all, when the disease is just developing, it is almost impossible to notice or feel it.
How to prevent bone fractures in osteoporosis?
In people who are at risk of osteoporosis, a study such as bone densitometry should be performed. This is a method for detecting the thickness and structure of bones on an ultrasound machine. The method makes it possible to see the development of osteoporosis, when the destruction of bone tissue is only 3-5%, while X-ray methods reveal a problem when the process is active by 15-20%.
Fractures of the vertebral bones can be suspected if a person's height has decreased in a short period of time, and thoracic kyphosis has become more pronounced. Also, chronic back pain, decreased ability to work may indicate probable osteoporosis. That is, the main first symptom of osteoporosis is considered to be a decrease in height by 2.5 cm per year or 4 cm per life. These symptoms should alert patients and motivate them to seek medical attention.
What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
Non-modifying factors:
- Female
- Age over 55
- Caucasian race
- Previous fractures
- Hypogonadism
- Early onset of menopause in women
- Glucocorticosteroid medications
- Prolonged immobilization
Osteoporosis Modifying Factors:
- Frequent falls
- Insufficient physical activity
- Smoking
- Algol abuse
- Insufficient intake of calcium-containing foods
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Low BMI or body weight less than 57 kg.
Aspects of diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis
Diagnostic methods:
Instrumental - skeletal bone radiography, osteodensitometry
Laboratory methods – biochemical markers of bone metabolism, indicators of calcium - phosphorus metabolism, morphological parameters of metabolism in bone tissue.
In the presence of normal levels of calcium in the blood, the presence of osteoporosis cannot be rejected, because this does not mean that there is enough of it in the bones. After all, its high concentration in the blood may be the result of the fact that it is “washed out of the bone.”
Osteoporosis is treated to prevent fresh fractures, slow bone loss, reduce pain, and improve quality of life.
Treatment of osteoporosis consists of prescribing the following drugs:
- Medications that reduce bone resorption (bisphosphonates, calcitonins, estrogens);
- Medications that enhance bone formation (androgens, fluorides, anabolic steroids);
- Medications that have a multifaceted effect on bone tissue (strontium ranelate and active vitamin D metabolites and their analogues);
- Osteoporosis prevention drugs (calcium salts, vitamin D).
Naturally, the best treatment is prevention, especially for a disease like osteoporosis. Women after menopause should reconsider their diet, saturate it with foods rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Also completely give up alcohol, smoking, and lead an active lifestyle. And doctors need to be attentive to patients after 55 years of age, and also recommend that all patients measure their height twice a year.
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