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What is Osteoporosis?
Bones are at their thickest and strongest in early adult life. From around the age of 35, more bone cells are lost than are replaced. This causes the bone to become thinner and weaker. People who exercise when they are young and who remain active into old age are less likely to get osteoporosis. This is because bones stay strong if they are used.
Read more on www.nhs.uk
Also known as bone loss, brittle bones, weak bones, fragile bones, Age Related Bone Loss, thin bones, Age-Related Bone Loss
Osteoporosis information from trusted sources:
| National Osteoporosis Foundation
Fighting osteoporosis and promoting bone health. Includes news, resources for patients and professionals, and information on advocacy and prevention. Read more on
www.nof.org
Osteoporosis
Aug 1, 2010 ... Osteoporosis Online Medical Reference - pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment options. Authored by Mario Skugor of the ... Read more on
www.clevelandclinicmeded.com
Osteoporosis Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention ...
Lack of calcium and vitamin D may cause bone loss. Read about causes, symptoms and diagnosis of osteoporosis, and learn about bone density and turnover and ... Read more on
www.emedicinehealth.com
Osteoporosis Tutorial
Tutorial contains images and text for education on osteoporosis. Read more on
library.med.utah.edu
Osteoporosis definition - Medical Dictionary definitions of ...
Nov 29, 2010 ... Our Osteoporosis Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the ... Osteoporosis: Thinning of the bones with reduction in bone mass due ... Read more on
www.medterms.com
Bone loss
Osteoporosis makes your bones weak and more likely to break. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older women. As many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Risk factors include Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Osteoporosis: eMedicine Rheumatology
Sep 22, 2010 ... Overview: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bony microarchitecture. Read more on
emedicine.medscape.com
Osteoporosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis literally means 'porous bones'. The two Greek words which make ... Read more on
en.wikipedia.org
Osteoporosis << Frequently Asked Questions << womenshealth.gov
Sep 22, 2009 ... Osteoporosis (OS-tee-oh-poh-ROH-sis) is a disease of the bones. People with osteoporosis have bones that are weak and break easily. ... Read more on
www.womenshealth.gov
Osteoporosis Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Prevention, Risk Factors ...
Nov 26, 2010 ... Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, ... Osteoporosis Drug Approved for Cancer-Related Bone Pain ... Read more on
www.medicinenet.com
Contents
Complications
Fractures are the most frequent and serious complication of osteoporosis. They often occur in your spine or hip bones that directly support your weight. Hip fractures often result from a fall. Although most people do relatively well with modern surgical treatment, hip fractures can result in disability and even death from postoperative complications, especially in older adults. Wrist fractures from falls also are common.
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Coping and support
The idea that your bones aren't as strong as they used to be can be frightening. You may find that talking to other people who also have osteoporosis can be encouraging and helpful. Ask your doctor if he or she knows of any support groups in your area. Or, contact the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) at 800-231-4222 for a list of local support groups. If there isn't a group in your area, the NOF support group coordinator can give you information on starting a support group. The NOF also has an online support community at www.inspire.com.
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Diagnosis
Osteoporosis is not often diagnosed until the weakening of the bones has led to a broken bone. An X-ray cannot reliably measure bone density but is useful to identify spinal fractures.
Read more on
www.nhs.uk
Exams and Tests
Bone mineral density testing (specifically a densitometry or DEXA scan) measures how much bone you have. Your health care provider uses this test to predict your risk for bone fractures in the future. For information about when testing should be done, see bone density test.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Lifestyle and home remedies
These suggestions may help relieve symptoms and maintain your independence if you have osteoporosis: Maintain good posture. Good posture which involves keeping your head held high, chin in, shoulders back, upper back flat and lower spine arched helps you avoid stress on your spine. When you sit or drive, place a rolled towel in the small of your back. Don't lean over while reading or doing handwork. When lifting, bend at your knees, not your waist, and lift with your legs, keeping your upper back straight.; Prevent falls. Wear low-heeled shoes with nonslip soles and check your house for electrical cords, area rugs and slippery surfaces that might cause you to trip or fall. Keep rooms brightly...
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Medical advice
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteoporosis or if you wish to be screened for the condition.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Outlook (Prognosis)
Medications to treat osteoporosis can help prevent fractures, but vertebrae that have already collapsed cannot be reversed.
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Possible Complications
Compression fractures of the spine; Disability caused by severely weakened bones; Hip and wrist fractures; Loss of ability to walk due to hip fractures
Read more on
www.nlm.nih.gov
Preparing for your appointment
Your family doctor or general practitioner may be the first doctor to bring up bone density testing. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in metabolic disorders (endocrinologist).
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Prevention
Three factors essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life are: Adequate amounts of calcium; Adequate amounts of vitamin D; Regular exercise
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Risk factors
A number of factors can increase the likelihood that you'll develop osteoporosis some you can change, others you cannot.
Read more on
www.mayoclinic.com
Symptoms
Osteoporosis is a condition that develops slowly over several years. The symptoms are not obvious in the early stages of the condition and can take months or years to appear. The early warning signs of osteoporosis can include joint pains and having difficulty standing or sitting up straight. You may have no warning before a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture.
Read more on
www.nhs.uk
Treatment