Osteoporosis
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease where bone density and strength decreases, increasing the risk of fractures.
Most people do not experience any obvious symptoms with osteoporosis until they have a fracture. This is why prevention of osteoporosis is important!
In This Article:
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Your risk of developing osteoporosis depends partly on how healthy and strong your bones were in childhood and young adulthood. The more bone mass you develop as a young person, the more you’re likely to retain later in life.
There are also several risk factors that increase your chances of developing osteoporosis later in life:
- Being a woman—osteoporosis is much more common in women than men
- Age—your risk of osteoporosis increases with age
- Body frame size— smaller people tend to be more at risk because they have less bone mass
- Family history—having a family history of osteoporosis increases your risk of developing it
- Low calcium intake—a lack of calcium over your lifetime makes your bones weaker
- Long-term use of certain medications—using particular corticosteroids, proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, hormone treatments, and some other medications over the long-term can disrupt your bone-building process
- Certain medical problems—conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease raises your risk of osteoporosis
- Lifestyle choices—lack of exercises, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking can increase your risk of osteoporosis
Diagnosing Osteoporosis
The most reliable way to diagnose osteoporosis is through a bone density scan. Your provider can order this test for you, which uses low-level x-rays to measure the proportion of mineral in your bone. The measurement will usually be taken at your hip and spine.
Treating Osteoporosis
Treatment for osteoporosis is largely based on your risk of a bone fracture. If your risk isn’t too high, your treatment is likely to focus on lifestyle changes, including reducing your risk for falls.
If you are at a higher risk for fractures, your provider may prescribe you medication to help build your bones or slow your bone loss. Women may also be prescribed estrogen therapy to help maintain bone density.
How Osteoporosis Affects COPD
Osteoporosis and COPD share some similar risk factors, including age, smoking and lack of activity. Some COPD medications, as well as corticosteroids, can also enhance bone loss.
People who have both osteoporosis and COPD are also at a higher risk of falls leading to fracture than someone who has only one or the other disease.
What You Can Do Today
- Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of osteoporosis and are concerned about your own risk
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Take all medications as prescribed, as they can help prevent fractures
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D, which help maintain good bone health
- Add weight-bearing exercise to your exercise regimen to build bone strength