An osteoporosis patient lives with fear and dread of any new experience. He is vulnerable to any bone fracture at any moment, even with the simplest normal movements. If you or someone in your circle suffers from this silent disease, here is a comprehensive guide to it in this article. 

What is osteoporosis? 

Bones are the solid organs that make up the body's skeletal system and are the pillar on which the body leans. Bone cells are always renewed. 

However, the rate of bone cell renewal varies at each age. In young people, the production of new bone tissue is faster than the destruction of old tissue, and with advancing age, the process of destruction is faster than construction.

While osteoporosis affects the human skeleton, causing thinning and loss of bone density and strength, this disease can occur at any age, but it is common in the elderly, and is more common among women. 

In the case of osteoporosis, the following occurs:

•  The size of the voids inside the bones increases, making the bone structure weaker and thinner, and the chances of fractures increase.
• Low bone density, as bones lose calcium and other minerals that make them strong and dense.
• Deterioration of bone structure. The internal structure of bones changes, making them more fragile and less resistant to pressure.
• Increased risk of fractures. Even a mild strain or simple fall can result in a broken bone.

In general, there are two main types of osteoporosis, which are as follows:

• Primary osteoporosis: It occurs after menopause in women after menopause due to a lack of estrogen, or as a result of natural changes associated with aging and aging.
• Secondary osteoporosis: It is a medical condition due to the presence of another health problem or the effect of a specific drug treatment, such as disease Thyroid gland.

Symptoms of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is called the silent disease;

Osteoporosis is accompanied by some symptoms as the condition progresses, including:

• Back pain: Especially in the lower back, and the pain may be severe if a vertebrae fracture occurs.
• Joint pain: especially in the hips and wrists.
• Change in body shape: Weak bones may lead to a curvature of the back or a change in standing position.
• Decrease in height: occurs due to collapse of the vertebrae. 
• Repeated fractures: Bone fractures may occur even through simple falls or simple movements. 

Causes of osteoporosis and risk factors 

Bone building in the body depends on the building cells that work to build and repair bones, and the catabolic cells that break down old bones. The most important factor is the balance between the work of these two cells so that the bones are strong. However, in the case of osteoporosis, the activity of bone breaking cells increases.

It is worth noting that the degree of risk of osteoporosis is related to the amount of bone tissue that has accumulated in the human body during the age period between the ages of 25-35 years, and is also related to the speed of bone tissue loss later on. The larger the size of the bone mass, the greater the reserve the person has, and thus the risk of osteoporosis decreases at an advanced age. 

Whereas if there is a lack of consumption of calcium and vitamin D during the first 30 years of a person’s life, this leads to a decline in bone mass in this person when he reaches the age at which bone mass reaches its peak, and this leads to a loss of bone mass more quickly later on. 

There are several factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis, and they are divided into factors that can be controlled and others that cannot be controlled. 

Factors that cannot be controlled include:

• Gender: Women are more susceptible to infection, especially after menopause, due to a lack of estrogen, which leads to increased loss of bone mass. 
• Age: As a person gets older, the likelihood of losing bone mass increases.
• Body size: People with small, fragile bodies are most susceptible. 
• Having a family history of the disease.
• Race: People who are white or of Asian descent are more likely to develop osteoporosis.

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Factors that can be controlled include the following:

• Bad habits of smoking and drinking alcohol. 
• Following an unhealthy diet, because the lack of calcium and vitamin D in the diet negatively affects bone health.
• Taking some medications that may be taken long-term to affect bone density, such as antacids or corticosteroids. 
• Lack of exercise and lack of movement.
• The problem of excess thyroid hormone or taking treatments containing the hormone in excess leads to loss of bone mass.
• Suffering from some diseases: such as rheumatism and diabetes.

What foods help strengthen bones?

In general, foods that strengthen bones should contain calcium because it is the basic element for building and strengthening bones, magnesium and phosphorus due to their importance for bone health, as well as vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.

The list of foods that help strengthen bones includes the following:

• Leafy vegetables: such as kale and spinach, contain a good percentage of calcium, and are also rich in fiber, vitamin A, and iron.

• Fatty fish: Because they contain vitamin D, such as salmon and tuna.
• Nuts and seeds: Because they are rich in calcium and potassium, such as almonds, cashews, and flax seeds.
• Dairy products: They are mainly rich in calcium, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese.
• Fruits: such as oranges, berries, and tomatoes.
• Legumes: such as beans and chickpeas.

Exposure to the sun and drinking sufficient amounts of water daily are also important factors for maintaining healthy bones and joints. 

Is it possible to exercise with osteoporosis?

Contrary to what is common among patients with osteoporosis and fear of exercise, exercising is very important for them, but before starting to develop an exercise regimen for them, it is necessary to determine the appropriate exercises by evaluating many factors, as follows:

• The severity of the patient's osteoporosis.
• Fitness level, history of the patient's sports activity.
•  The patient's general health condition.
• The presence of other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, lung disease, arthritis or neurological problems.

Exercising helps osteoporosis patients:

• Increase bone density and strengthen, which reduces the risk of fractures.
• Relieve pain, especially joint and bone pain.
• Improving balance and strength, which helps prevent falls, which is one of the main causes of fractures. 
• Improve mood and feel energetic.

In general, the types of exercise suitable for a patient with osteoporosis include walking and weight lifting exercises appropriate to the condition, muscle strengthening exercises, and balance exercises. 

Complications associated with osteoporosis

Failure to diagnose or neglect treatment of osteoporosis leads to serious complications, especially in the elderly. These complications include:

Frequent fractures, which are the most common complication.

Feeling constant pain, especially in the back and hips.

Gradual loss of height, due to repeated fractures of the spine.

Curvature of the back, which affects the general appearance and reduces the ability to move. 

Difficulty moving. 

The importance of early diagnosis of osteoporosis

Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is one of the most important methods of prevention and treatment of the disease, as the importance of early diagnosis lies in taking the necessary measures to prevent serious fractures, as well as starting appropriate treatment early, which helps maintain bone health and improve the quality of life.

Osteoporosis tests must be performed in the following cases:

• The presence of risk factors: such as advanced age, estrogen deficiency, smoking, or calcium and vitamin D deficiency.
• Postmenopause and menopause in women.
• After a bone fracture for no apparent reason, this may be a sign of osteoporosis.

The most important tests used to diagnose osteoporosis include the following:

• Bone density screening technology (DEXA): It is the most accurate test for diagnosing osteoporosis, as low-energy
• X-rays: reveal any fractures that may be present in the bones, which indicates the presence of fragility, but they are not reliable, but they help confirm the diagnosis.
• Blood tests: to measure the level of hormones such as estrogen and thyroid hormone, as well as the level of vitamin D and calcium, and to evaluate kidney and liver functions. 

Tips to prevent osteoporosis 

Orthopedists and nutritionists at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital recommend several tips that you can follow to prevent osteoporosis or slow its progression, for example:

• Follow a diet rich in general elements to strengthen bones, including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus.  
• Exposure to sunlight during times of moderate heat. 
• Regular exercise.
• Quit smoking and alcohol. 
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Periodic medical examinations and monitoring of calcium and vitamin D levels. 
• Fall prevention. 
• Always consult a doctor if you suffer from any bone problems or have a family history of the disease.

In conclusion, following prevention advice is always better than cure, and since osteoporosis is a silent disease, early diagnosis and regular examination are among the most important keys to preventing this disease. 

At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, we include a team of specialized doctors and use the latest medical technologies. You can contact us on our numbers listed on the website for more details about osteoporosis tests. 

Sources and references

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

WebMD – Causes of Osteoporosis

National Osteoporosis Foundation – Risk Factors and Complications