It’s a major life threat as one out of three women and one out of four men can have an osteoporosis related fracture in their life. Bone is, in fact a living tissue made up of protein collagen and a bone strengthening and hardening mineral calcium phosphate.

Bones can withstand more stress if there is a proper collagen and calcium in the bones for their flexibility. Bones becomes heavier and denser during teenage and childhood and maximum bone density is reached at the age of 30.Not only women but also men can suffer from osteoporosis.But,in women it becomes faster after menopause. Osteoporosis would more likely to develop if the required bone mass density is not achieved during bone building years like in teenager and childhood period.

There are certain risk factors which cannot be changed like gender, family history, age and body size.Rather, there are certain factors that cause a risk for osteoporosis.

These risk factors include:

Person’s lifestyle: Bones can be weakened as a result of inactive lifestyle and a long term bed rest.

Intake of calcium and vitamin D: Bones become weak due to insufficient amount of calcium and vitamin D in diet.

Eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, leading to weight loss can make the bones prone to undergo osteoporosis.

Sex hormones: Low testosterone level in men, menopause and amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) in women leads to osteoporosis.

It has been proved that long term use of anticonvulsants and glucocorticoids can lead to fracture and bone density loss. Excess alcohol intake also cause osteoporosis.Smoking, on the other hand is injurious not only for lungs and heart but also for bones. Medicines which have taken for cancer treatment, liver, lungs, heart and kidney diseases, use of antiseizure drugs and excess thyroid hormone can cause osteoporosis. Women who smoke would have less level of estrogen and consequently they suffered from osteoporosis earlier.

• Bone pain
• Abdominal pain
• Height loss
• Tooth loss
• Rib pain
• Muscle and spine pain
• Neck pain
• Fatigue
• Stooped posture
• Periodontal disease
• Broken bones
• Arthritis
• Tendonitis

Diagnosis of osteoporosis

An x-ray can reveal osteoporosis which shows thinner and lighter bones than the healthier ones.DXA (DEXA) a form of BMD test measures the bone density in the spine and hips. It is quite precise and uses    fewer doses of radiation. Bone density as compared to healthy bones is measured in terms of T score. Osteoporosis has an average T score of -2.5 SD or below while osteopenia which is a middle stage between healthy bones and osteoporosis has a T score between -1 and 2.5 SD.

Bone mineral density test can be used to:

• Predict chances of fracture
• Detect bone mass density
• Diagnose osteoporosis
• Determine the bone loss rate

Various lab tests and bone scan are some other tests required for diagnosing osteoporosis.

A bone scan is different from bone mineral density test in which a patient is injected with a dye and a scanner identifies the areas of bone tissues where there are differences in conditions. It shows fractures, inflammation, cancer and any bone lesions.

Lab tests involve, number of blood and urine tests. Blood tests are performed to evaluate:

• Functioning of thyroid glands
• Levels of parathyroid hormone
• Blood calcium levels
• Blood vitamin D levels
• Levels of testosterone in men
• Level of follicle stimulating hormone
• Estrogen level in women
• Level of osteocalcin to check bone formation

Postmenopausal women or a woman aged 65 years or older is more prone to osteoporosis. By changing life style, intake of healthy food, using medicines that add calcium and prevent loss of bone mass and a regular exercise are the only ways that can help prevent osteoporosis in both men and women.