Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Risks, and How You Can Prevent It

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Risks, and How You Can Prevent It

If you have elderly loved ones, chances are you are already familiar with osteoporosis and its effects. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to know more about it, especially if you want to prevent it, or if you’re already suffering from it. Learn about possible treatment options:

What Exactly Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can occur when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and can break from falls or other things, such as bumping into furniture.

Osteoporosis is sometimes called “the silent thief” because it can steal bone density without causing symptoms. Many are not aware they have osteoporosis until their bones start to break.

What Are the Common Signs of Osteoporosis?

There are usually no signs in the early stages of osteoporosis. As the disease progresses, bones may become more likely to break. Common signs and symptoms of osteoporosis are:

  • Back pain due to a fractured or collapsed vertebra
  • Reduced height over time
  • A stooped posture
  • A bone fracture that occurs with little or no trauma, such as from a fall from a standing position

If you or a loved one notices some of the mentioned symptoms, seek help from a doctor. They can determine if you have osteoporosis or another health problem.

Who Is At Risk for Getting Osteoporosis?

Many factors could increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Some of these include:

  • Being female
  • Having a family history of osteoporosis
  • Being of Caucasian or Asian descent
  • Having a small, thin body frame
  • Going through menopause
  • Having certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsants

If you have any risk factors, you should talk to your doctor about ways to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

How Can You Prevent It?

There are things that you can try to help prevent osteoporosis or at least slow its progression. For one, you can eat food rich in vitamin D and calcium. Another way to prevent osteoporosis is to start an osteoporosis prevention program which involves weight-bearing activities, bone-strengthening resistance exercises, and cardiovascular activities, among others. Medical Fitness and Wellness Group in Johns Creek offers a program that can be excellent for your bone health. 

What Treatment Options Are There?

There are many treatment options for osteoporosis, and the best approach depends on the individual patient’s needs. Some common treatments include:

Medications: There are several different types of medication that can be prescribed to help treat osteoporosis. These include bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen, and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Diet and lifestyle changes: Making changes to your diet and lifestyle may be essential for overall health and can also help reduce osteoporosis risk. Consuming enough calcium and vitamin D, as well as exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are all important.

Weight-bearing exercise: Exercise that puts weight on the bones, such as walking, running, or lifting weights, can help to strengthen bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Conclusion

Osteoporosis is a serious condition that can lead to a number of health complications. If you think you are at risk for getting osteoporosis, you should speak with your doctor. There are some treatments and programs available that can help to prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis.

Medical Fitness and Wellness Group in Johns Creek offers various services including wellness consultations and personal training programs that aim to prevent certain problems like osteoporosis, diabetes, and others. Get in touch with us today to know how we can help you!