Need-to-Know Facts About Silent Bone Loss
Your bones never sit still. They’re constantly reinventing themselves, and that’s usually beneficial, as new bone replaces old to keep your skeleton strong. With osteoporosis, though, the cycle of change is unbalanced. In women, aging and the loss of hormones during the menopausal transition cause bone loss to increase at a rate that outpaces the body’s ability to make new bone. As a result, you are more vulnerable to fractures. Read on to find answers to some key questions about osteoporosis and learn what you can do to manage this disease.
What Is Osteoporosis?
You probably don’t give much thought to all the changes your bones undergo throughout your life because they happen silently, in the background. So, too, does osteoporosis. This condition occurs when you lose bone mineral density and bone mass, or when bone strength and structure change. As bone loss takes place, your body tries to replace it with new bone, but it can’t do so fast enough.
What Happens to Your Body When You Get Osteoporosis?
Put simply: Your bone strength decreases. Bones become weaker, thinner and brittle. As a result, you have a higher risk of breaking a bone if, for example, you were to fall or lift something too heavy. Osteoporosis-related broken bones most often occur in the spine, but they can also affect the hips, wrists, and upper arm and thigh bones.
What does osteoporosis feel like? In most cases, nothing—at least at first. This condition rarely causes symptoms. Many people only learn they have it after they break a bone, such as a vertebra in the spine. When that happens, you may feel back pain, lose height and stoop instead of standing or sitting up straight.
What Is the Main Cause of Osteoporosis?
Excessive bone loss is the main cause of osteoporosis. Many factors, including genetics and sex, can increase your risk of losing too much bone. A key reason more women than men develop osteoporosis is menopause. A significant amount of bone loss occurs during the first five to seven years after menopause due to estrogen loss.
Another reason women are more likely to develop osteoporosis: They have a lower peak bone mass than men. Peak bone mass is the maximum amount of bone a person will reach in their lifetime. In addition, your risk of osteoporosis rises as you get older. Most cases occur after age 50. In men, this condition tends to occur after age 70.
You have a higher risk of osteoporosis if you:
- Aren’t physically active
- Don’t get enough calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy bones
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Have a family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures
- Have a medical condition that may contribute to osteoporosis, such as an endocrine disorder, eating disorder, rheumatoid arthritis or gastrointestinal disease
- Have a slim build
- Have low estrogen due to a hormone disorder
- Have low testosterone due to a medical condition, not age-related decline
- Smoke
- Take medicines that can play a role in bone loss, like certain medicines for breast cancer, asthma or depression
How Do You Know if You Have Osteoporosis?
You can’t rely on symptoms, since osteoporosis often develops silently. That doesn’t mean you have to live with uncertainty or find out after a fracture.
You can learn whether you have osteoporosis with a noninvasive screening called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). DXA measures the bone mineral density in areas of your body vulnerable to fractures, usually your hip and spine. Your doctor can determine whether you have osteoporosis by comparing your bone density to the average for young, healthy people and for people of the same sex, age and race as you. Best of all, they can recommend ways to manage the condition and reduce your fracture risk, helping you preserve your independence and mobility.
Experts recommend a bone density test for all women age 65 and older and women younger than 65 with risk factors for osteoporosis. There’s no consensus on osteoporosis screening recommendations for men. However, if you’re an older man with risk factors, you may want to discuss a bone density test with your provider.
Can Osteoporosis Go Away?
Osteoporosis won’t go away—it’s a chronic condition with no cure. Still, by working with your doctor, you can manage this condition and maintain an active, independent lifestyle. That’s why screening is so important. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can start taking steps to protect your bones for the long term.
What Is the Best Thing to Take for Osteoporosis?
The best osteoporosis medicine is the one that works for you. Your doctor can help you find an effective therapy. They will likely start by recommending a bisphosphonate, a type of medicine that can slow bone loss. You may be a candidate for a bone-building medication if you have severe osteoporosis or have had a fracture. Hormone therapy to prevent bone loss may be a good option if you’re nearing or have recently reached menopause.
Along with medicines, your doctor will likely recommend other forms of treatment as part of your care plan. They may advise you to:
- Eat a balanced, nutritious diet that includes plenty of calcium, vitamin D and protein to support bone health.
- Engage in regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises to fortify bones and the tissues that support them.
- Make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and limiting or giving up alcohol.
- Take a calcium or vitamin D supplement if you don’t get enough from other sources.
- Take steps to prevent falls, such as wearing shoes with nonslip soles, using a cane or walker, and adding safety features like bathroom grab bars to your home.
What Role Do Orthopedic Surgeons Play in Osteoporosis Treatment?
Around 50% of women and up to 25% of men age 50 or older will have a fracture due to osteoporosis, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. That’s where orthopedic surgeons come in. They can repair fractures and provide follow-up care as they heal. These experts can also advise patients on best practices for bone health.
The Bottom Line
Osteoporosis can pose significant challenges to your bone health and quality of life, but you have what it takes to manage it. Stay empowered with these facts:
- Osteoporosis is when you lose too much bone, and your body can’t make enough new bone to replace it. As a result, your bones weaken, raising your risk of fracture.
- Key risk factors for osteoporosis include being female, aging, inactivity, and not getting enough calcium and vitamin D.
- Osteoporosis rarely causes symptoms, but you can find out whether you have it with a DXA scan.
- Doctors typically recommend medications, fall prevention, exercise, and diet and lifestyle changes to manage osteoporosis. Orthopedic surgeons can treat osteoporosis-related fractures.
