Osteoporosis - what it is, causes, symptoms and prevention

What is osteoporosis?

Bones in the body are part of the musculoskeletal system and are a scaffold for muscles. In addition, they have a protective function for internal organs and are a storehouse of valuable compounds, such as calcium or phosphates. Interestingly, the bone is a metabolically active tissue - inside its structure changes are constantly occurring, the purpose of which is to adapt to daily mechanical loads. In the bones occur to resorption and reconstruction, and with age and the occurrence of various diseases, there may be an imbalance between these processes, which may lead to the weakening of the entire structure. As a result, the risk of developing osteoporosis may also increase. The question is, what is osteoporosis?

The osteoporosis (from latin osteoporosis) is a skeletal disease characterized by a gradual reduction in bone mineral density and weakening of bone structures. As a result of the disease, the spatial structure of the bone and its mechanical strength are also weakened, as well as its susceptibility to damage and fractures is increased.

The osteoporosis can affect both women and men, but most often it affects women in the postmenopausal period.

Types of osteoporosis

The osteoporosis can be divided into primary and secondary.

A much more common form of the disease is the primary osteoporosis, which affects 80% of people struggling with this ailment. Within the primary osteoporosis, can make detailed division into:

idiopathic osteoporosis - juvenile osteoporosis, which for unknown reasons affects young people,
involutionary osteoporosis, in which one can distinguish:

postmenopausal osteoporosis, also referred to as type I osteoporosis, which most often affects postmenopausal women, which is associated with estrogen deficiency; during the course of the disease, the loss of spongy bone dominates, and to a lesser extent also the cortical bone,
osteoporosis in old age, referred to as osteoporosis type II, in which bone loss affects spongy and cortical bones equally.

In turn, the form of the osteoporosis, which affects 20% of people struggling with this disease, is the secondary osteoporosis, which is associated with the action of factors other than natural processes, such as hormonal disorders, diseases of the digestive system or long-term use of certain drugs.

Risk factors for osteoporosis

Among the risk factors for the progression of the osteoporosis can be mentioned, among others.:

genetic conditions,
use of an incorrect diet,
smoking cigarettes,
excessive alcohol consumption,
sedentary lifestyle,
underweight and slim body,
comorbidities such as diabetes and Cushing's syndrome,
taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids,
vitamin D deficiency,
calcium deficiency.

Osteoporosis - causes

The primary osteoporosis is usually associated with natural aging processes occurring in the human body. In women, it most often occurs after menopause - then there is a sharp decrease in the level of estrogens, or hormones, which have a protective effect on bone tissue. Among men, the osteoporosis is usually a process that develops over a longer period of time and is due to the general aging of the body, as well as a decrease in the level of physical activity, the level of muscle tissue and the secretion of sex hormones.

The secondary osteoporosis may be associated with the occurrence of diseases such as.:

primary hyperparathyroidism,
hyperthyroidism,
premature menopause,
rheumatoid arthritis,
ankylosing spondylitis,
adrenal hyperactivity.

In addition, the causes of the secondary osteoporosis can enumerate malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be the result of diseases such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease. Also kidney disease, liver failure or long-term immobilization can cause the development of this disease.

Osteoporosis - symptoms and effects

How does osteoporosis manifest itself? This is the dangerous disease that in the early stages of development usually does not give any characteristic and noticeable symptoms. Sometimes in the initial stage of the osteoporosis, chronic pain in the spine, bones and joints can be observed, but this is often a neglected ailment.

Diagnosis of the osteoporosis is usually made only when are observed pathological and frequent fractures, which should not occur among healthy people, as witnessed by advanced osteoporosis changes. Fractures and injuries most often occur in bones that are exposed to damage as a result of falls or strokes. Thus, the most common injuries are fractures of the bones of the forearm, hip or wrist.

Among people struggling with advanced form of the osteoporosis, there is also a risk of vertebral fractures, which may be caused by pressure of their own body weight on the spine. Then there may be sudden back pain and pressure of damaged tissues on the nerve roots. This can lead to permanent body distortions, reduced growth and reduced mobility. In addition, the osteoporosis can also be accompanied by symptoms such as headaches and neck pain, imbalances or lack of appetite.

$Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system, during which injuries and falls can lead to numerous fractures.$

Test on osteoporosis - what does it look like?

Because the osteoporosis does not initially any symptoms, prevention and early diagnostic tests are extremely important. Who should consider testing for osteoporosis? Firstly, people who are at risk, as well as struggling with endocrine disorders. It is also worth taking control of the osteoporosis among the elderly, especially among postmenopausal women.

What does a bone test look like? There are many indicators and methods of test that can be helpful in the process of diagnosis of the osteoporosis and its monitoring. Most often it is performed:

bone densitometry, a non-invasive bone mineral density test that is performed using a densitometer what allow to accurately determine the porosity of the bone structure. Most often, during densitometry, the proximal end of the femur and the lumbar spine are examined;
fracture risk assessment using the FRAX calculator, which helps determine the likelihood of the osteoporosis occurring in the next 10 years;
test of markers of bone turnover, CTX and P1NP, which enable detection of degradation of bone structures; CTX marker is associated with the breakdown of collagen particles and indicates the processes of bone destruction, which are associated with the increased functioning of osteoclasts. In turn, the P1NP marker, or N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen, is detectable when new collagen particles are formed, which may indicate bone reconstruction processes;
RTG image that allows fracture diagnosis;
test of calcium concentration in the blood serum - which makes it possible to determine bone reserves and the intensity of the release of the element;
test of the level of vitamin D in the blood serum, which is an ingredient that has a significant impact on the proper functioning of bones;
indication of the concentration of parathyroid hormone, a hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, which stimulates the release of calcium from the bones, thus also contributing to the intensification of their breakdown; high concentration of the indicator may indicate hyperparathyroidism, which may increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Can osteoporosis be cured?

The osteoporosis, sometimes also called the silent thief of bones, is a disease that often goes untreated, which is due to the fact that many people in the early stages of the disease do not even know, that he is struggling with this ailment.

When the osteoporosis is diagnosed, treatment is started, which consists primarily of minimizing the risk of fractures. Then, properly selected pharmaceuticals can inhibit the processes of destroying bone structures and support bone reconstruction. In the treatment of the osteoporosis, the most commonly used preparations are bisphosphonates, belonging to antiresorptive drugs. In addition, the osteoporosis treatment is also based on lifestyle changes, proper diet and calcium and vitamin D intake in the form of dietary supplements.

Properly selected therapy can stop the development of the osteoporosis and enable the proper functioning of the body for many years, but it is worth remembering that the primary osteoporosis is a consequence of natural aging processes, therefore, a complete cure of the disease is not possible.

People who observe symptoms that may indicate the development of the osteoporosis often wonder which doctor to contact to diagnose the disease. The first symptoms of the osteoporosis should be consulted with a family doctor, who will probably refer the patient to a rheumatologist or orthopedist traumatologist. Among women, consultation with a gynecologist may also be recommended.

Prevention of osteoporosis - how to prevent osteoporosis?

It is well known that a much better solution than the osteoporosis treatment is its prevention. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the possibility of disease prevention. Preventive activities should be started at a young age to help achieve the highest peak bone density. It is estimated that in this way, the incidence of subsequent fractures associated with the osteoporosis can be reduced by up to half. What to do and how to prevent the osteoporosis? It is important to eliminate risk factors, as well as:

proper diet - follow a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, which also provides the body with all other valuable nutrients;
adequate body weight - underweight and too slim figure can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Because overweight can have a number of other serious consequences, the best solution is to maintain a healthy body weight;
regular physical activity in the fresh air - sport is health, and practicing physical activity in the air promotes the production of vitamin D in the body. In addition, daily movement strengthens bones and their resistance to osteoporotic fractures;
no smoking - smoking, according to the results of research, can accelerate the development of the osteoporosis. Smoking not only increases the concentration of toxic substances in the body, but also helps to reduce the level of calcium in the blood serum;
no alcohol abuse - too frequent drinking alcohol can not only cause liver disease, but also negatively affect the bones, accelerating the processes of their destruction, and also contributing to a decrease in the level of calcium and vitamin D in the body.

Often, the first of the symptoms of the osteoporosis is chronic back pain, as well as headaches and neck pain. However, these ailments are usually underestimated, considered as typical symptoms of old age.

Diet in osteoporosis - what to eat with osteoporosis?

The basis of prevention, as well as the necessary action after diagnosing osteoporosis, is the use of an appropriate and balanced diet.

In the osteoporosis, the greatest attention should be paid to the proper supply of protein, calcium and vitamin D, which are components that are part of bone structures and are responsible for the proper construction and functioning of the musculoskeletal system.

Protein as a building component is necessary for the work of the skeletal system. The protein in the diet can be obtained from milk and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt or buttermilk, as well as from meat, fish and eggs.
Calcium is a component of bones, which can be found primarily in products such as milk and dairy products (yoghurts, kefirs, cheeses), fish (brisling and sardines), or element-enriched products, for example, cereals.
Vitamin D is a compound that can increase the absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract and reduce bone loss. The substance can be found primarily in oily sea fish, such as mackerel or herring, as well as in fish oil. Exposure to sunlight is also important, which increases the production of the compound in the body.

As part of the prevention of osteoporosis and during the treatment of the disease, it is also worth paying attention to the appropriate intake of vitamin K, which is necessary for the proper mineralization of bones, as well as the supply of magnesium and phosphates, fluorine and vitamin C. Therefore, it is worth using a healthy and balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, dairy products, skim protein sources and vegetable fats to support health and proper functioning of the body, including the skeletal system.

What compounds and foods are better to avoid during the osteoporosis and as part of preventive activities? It is worth paying attention to the presence of oxalates in the diet, which may hinder the absorption of calcium - these compounds can be found, among others, in spinach or beet leaves. In addition, it is worth limiting the supply of products commonly considered harmful, which are rich in saturated fatty acids, salt and sugar - sweets, carbonated drinks, salty snacks, fast-food dishes, highly processed products. Particular attention should be paid to the appropriate supply of salt - sodium can affect bone metabolism and increase calcium excretion.

Because in the osteoporosis, both deficiency and excess protein or phosphorus can negatively affect the bones, in case of problems with the proper balance of the menu, it is worth consulting a dietitian.

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Natalia Goździak

Copywriter - nutritionist. Bachelor's degree in sports dietetics She graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Poznan, while her master's degree in dietoprophylaxis and dietotherapy - from the University of Physical Education in Poznan. at UP in Poznań. However, she treats the principles of healthy eating primarily as valuable guidelines, rather than strict rules that must be strictly followed. Knowledge in the field of copywriting, on the other hand, she draws from courses and industry literature, but since the best way to learn is to practice. learning is practice, she spends many hours each day playing with words and creating new, unique content. content. Privately, she is passionate about photography and can't imagine life without books.