Osteoporosis Symptoms & Causes

Osteoporosis is a condition where your skeleton becomes weak due to structural changes that weakens your bones. It increases your risk for mainly hip, spinal end wrist fractures due to slight movements and falling over.

Osteoporosis occurs when new bone formation doesn’t maintain the same process as the loss of old bone. Bone is living tissue that is broken down and replaced constantly. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, but older women who are past menopause have the highest risk. Medication together with dietary changes and the appropriate exercise can help prevent further bone loss and strengthen weak bones. 

Symptoms

As we get older our bones break down faster than we can build new bone, this causes holes in the bone structure and is known as osteoporosis. Speak to your doctor if you went through early menopause or if either one of your parents had hip fractures. 

Unfortunately, there are little to no symptoms of osteoporosis in the early stages of bone loss, only once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis you might have a few warning signs and symptoms such as:

• Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
• Loss of height over time
• A stooped posture
• Bones that break easily

Can you detect osteoporosis early?

Early detectable warning signs of bone loss are rare, many people don’t know they have weak bones until they break a major bone. Certain symptoms can be helpful as they may point to bone loss and should be investigated. 

If you notice any difference in your gum line, ask your dentist to screen for bone loss as your gums can recede if your jaw is losing bone. 

Other than changes in bone density, which are impossible to detect without a DEXA scan, osteoporosis does not cause many initial symptoms therefore your best plan of action is to visit your doctor especially if you have a family history of osteoporosis. 

As the bone condition deteriorates, more obvious symptoms may present themselves such as:

• Loss of height (compression fractures can cause this)
• Fracture from a fall (most common sign of osteoporosis)
• Back or neck pain (ranges from minor tenderness to debilitating pain)
• Stooped posture or compression fracture (can also cause slight curving of upper back)

What causes osteoporosis?

Your bones are constantly renewed, older bones are broken down and are replaced by new bone formation.  Bone generally starts at puberty and reaches its peak at about 36 years of age. After the menopause(change of life in layman’s terms) bone loss increases dramatically. In men this happens later in their lives. 

Your risk for osteoporosis is determined partly on how much bone mass you maintained if your youth and your level of physical activity. Bone mass density is partly inherited, but lifestyle and dietary choices are a factor too.

Long-term use of corticosteroid medications interferes with the bone building process, including medications used for seizures, gastric reflux and cancer. Certain medical problems can also add to the risk for osteoporosis, these conditions include and are not limited to celiac disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple myeloma. 

Spine and hip fractures are the most serious complication of osteoporosis and hip fractures caused by a fall can often result in a permanent disability. A spinal injury can happen even without a fall and osteoporosis in the spine can weaken the back which can result in back pain and a hunched over posture. 

Risk factors

Osteoporosis is more common in women due to hormonal shifts that occur with age. When your body can’t create enough bone tissue to sustain the loss during aging, it causes osteoporosis.

Common risk factors include:

• poor eyesight
• decreasing hearing
• poor balance
• older age
• low testosterone in men
• low estrogen in women
• taking medications that decrease hormone levels
• smoking cigarettes
• family history of osteoporosis
• drinking alcohol frequently
• not getting enough regular physical activity

Although women have higher risk due to hormonal changes during menopause, men have a gradual reduction in testosterone levels as they age. Treatments for prostate cancer are known to reduce testosterone levels in men, similar to breast cancer treatments which reduce estrogen levels in women which is likely to accelerate bone loss. 

If your thyroid hormone levels are increased whether due to medication or an overactive thyroid, this can cause bone loss. Osteoporosis has also been known to be caused by an overactive parathyroid and adrenal gland. 

What happens during a diagnosis?

Your doctor will use a machine called a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure your bone density. This machine will scan your hip and spine to determine your bone density in comparison to other people of your age and gender.

Other scans that doctors use to diagnose include:

• ultrasound, usually of a person’s heel
• quantitative CT scan of the lower spine
• lateral radiographs, which are conventional X-rays

How do you treat osteoporosis?

Treatment includes supplementation with Calcium and Vit D,  Hormonal therapy if indicated and medication that increase bone strength. Discuss medical problems and medications that may increase your risk to fall and fracture with your house doctor. 

Dietary factors 

Osteoporosis is more likely in people who have low calcium intake which contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of factors. Another factor is eating disorders. Restricting food intake weakens bone. 

While being underweight increases the chances of bone loss and fractures, being overweight is known to increase the risk of fractures in your knees and wrists. Maintaining an appropriate weight is therefore important for your general health and your bones. 

Can you prevent osteoporosis?

You can decrease your risk for developing osteoporosis by changing your lifestyle and diet early. Take action to prevent bone loss and to maintain your bone density. Start early and take care of your bone health with weight bearing exercise, improved dietary calcium intake. Stop smoking if you do and moderate use of alcohol

You can start by engaging in regular weight-bearing exercises to build bone mass. Taking 1, 000 milligrams of calcium per day can go a far way to decrease or delay the onset of osteoporosis. Taking a daily dose of vitamin D will help your body absorb the much-needed calcium. Great calcium rich foods to add to your diet:

• low-fat dairy products
• canned sardines and salmon (with bones)
• broccoli
• beans or legumes
• kale
• bok choy
• fortified foods, such as bread, cereal, and almond milk

How can you prevent falls?

• wearing nonslip shoes and socks
• keep electrical cords against the edges of your walls
• keep rooms brightly lit
• attach any loose carpets to the floor
• putting grab bars in the bathroom
• wear rubber-soled shoes

Osteoporosis prevention is in your hands. Start early and take of your bone health with exercise, calcium and regular screenings as you age. 

The Institute for Osteoporosis was formed in 1995 in order to advance effective prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and the fracture complications. We offer bone density scans, bone density reports and bone density recommendations. 

Contact us today to make a booking.