What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones.
8 million women in the United States suffer from osteoporosis. One in four women over 65 suffers from the disease.
“Osteo” means bone and “osteoporosis” means porous bone. If you have osteoporosis, the natural holes in your bones become larger and therefore weaker.
Non-Hispanic white women and Asian women are at the highest risk.
Osteoporosis is a silent disease
Osteoporosis becomes noticeable. You may not find out until you break a bone. However, talk to your doctor if you notice that you are shorter than you used to be or develop a hunch in your back.
People with advanced osteoporosis have bones so brittle that they can break a bone if they fall slightly or even cough violently.
What increases your risk of developing osteoporosis?
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Decrease in estrogen after menopause
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Age (bone mass naturally decreases over time)
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Slim body size, thin bones
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If a parent had osteoporosis or broke a hip
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Diet:
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Lack of calcium and vitamin D since childhood
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Restrictive diet as an adult
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Certain medications:
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Some diseases, such as:
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Hormonal disorders
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Gastrointestinal diseases
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Rheumatoid arthritis
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Certain types of cancer
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HIV/AIDS
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Anorexia nervosa
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Not being physically active
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Smoke
diagnosis
Osteoporosis is diagnosed with a bone mineral density test called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Treatment options for osteoporosis
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but treatment can slow bone loss or help increase bone density.
Antiresorptive treatment
Bisphosphonates
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Alendronate
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Risedronate
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Zoledronic acid
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Denosumab
Raloxifene
Estrogen therapy
Anabolic therapy
Teriparatide
Abaloparatide
Romosozumab
Vitamin D
Calcium supplements
Lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of osteoporosis or slow bone loss
diet
Avoid smoking
Limit alcohol consumption
Exercise
Weight-bearing and resistance exercises can help restore bone density, and balance exercises can help you reduce the risk of falls.
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Resistance exercises
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Lift weights
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Using resistance bands
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Squats
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Leg raises
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rowing
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Stand on your tiptoes
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Standing on one leg
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Tai chi
Prevent falls
There are steps you can take to prevent falls and reduce the risk of a fracture.
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Safe carpets
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Improve lighting
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Install grab bars in the bathroom and on stairs
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Use non-slip surfaces, e.g. B. Rubber mats
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Remove clutter from the floor
This educational resource was created with support from Radius Health.