OSTEOPOROSIS: The Silent Thief

Osteoporosis is often called the “Silent thief”- because it steals bone strength without any warning signs until a fracture occurs.

This condition affects over 200 million people globally, but women bear the greatest burden.

Let’s talk about it👇🏼

3 Things You Should Know About Osteoporosis

1. It develops silently

Osteoporosis doesn’t cause pain or visible symptoms in the early stages.

Your bones just gradually lose density, becoming weak and porous over time- until a bone breaks.

2. 80% of the population affected are women

Women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis.

This is mostly due to loss of estrogen after menopause which accelerates bone loss.

3. It’s the most common cause of bone fractures

Osteoporosis is the leading reason why bones break in older adults, especially at the hip, spine and wrist.

This can happen even from minor falls or sneezing.

WHAT CAUSES OSTEOPOROSIS?

Bone is constantly being broken down and rebuilt.

It is known as bone resorption and formation, where old bones are broken down, and new ones are formed.

Osteoporosis develops when creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone.

Factors that contribute to this include:

- Low estrogen in women, especially after menopause
- Low testosterone in men
- Inadequate calcium and Vitamin D intake
- Smoking and excessive alcohol
- Physical inactivity and lack of weight bearing exercises
- Chronic diseases like arthritis
- Long term use of corticosteroids and anti-seizure medications.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS?

Loss of bone mass can be prevented, its progression slowed or even halted altogether.

How do you do this?

- Build strong bones early

The first 30 years of your life are critical for building peak bone mass.

- Eat bone friendly foods ( Calcium, Vitamin D, protein and magnesium rich foods)

- Exercise regularly (Strength training, aerobics and balance exercises)

- Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol.

- All women above 65 should get screened for a bone density test.

Younger women at higher risk (like family history) should also consider getting screened.

- Treat the condition when it’s present and accompany it with supplements like Faforon.