It is a condition experienced by millions of women around the globe, mostly affecting women who have undergone menopause. Most of the time, there are no apparent signs of osteoporosis, causing many people to be shocked when they break a bone, which usually occurs due to a nontraumatic fall or insignificant bump. Typical fractures occur in the hips, the wrist, and the spine, and in advanced cases of this illness, excruciating chronic pain and deterioration of the standard of living are often observed.
Osteoporosis can be avoided, and that is why it is essential, as it is easier to keep the bones healthy than to retrieve back the lost bone mass. With the knowledge of its causes, palpating its signs, and looking for ways to preclude it, a woman's risk of having osteoporosis can be reduced significantly. Dr Meera Sharma is an endocrinologist who is concerned with bone health and osteoporosis prevention; she shares her expertise on the causes and symptoms, as well as prevention.
Women's osteoporosis causes
- Hormonal changes during the post-menopausal period
Hormonal changes, especially after considering the factor postmenopause, are one of the significant reasons contributing to the problem of osteoporosis in women. One major contributor to this is the hormone oestrogen, which is responsible for bone mass retention. To provide some commentary on this condition, Dr Meera Sharma says, "In conditions where oestrogen levels are reduced, there is an increase in bone resorption compared to bone formation leading to loss of bone mass." It is understandable therefore that women who have gone through menopause are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than younger women or even men of the same age.
- Bone demineralisation with age
Again, periods of old age should not be excluded. Bone tissue is fully developed around the late 20s of a female; therefore, the woman's body begins to lose bones after this stage. Due to the natural ageing process, bone loss endured in women aged around 50 years and above is so high that the normal age reduction balance is tilted.
Dr Sharma also points out the role of diet, arguing that a lack of calcium and vitamin D may lead to fragile bones. "Calcium is an essential mineral found in bone formation, while Vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption. Over time, insufficiency of these nutrients ultimately leads to decreased bone mass," she explains.
Other factors are physical inactivity, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol, which are all detrimental to bone health. "Women who do not participate in weight-bearing activities such as walking or resistance exercises are at higher risk for bone density loss," explains Dr Sharma.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
- Silent growth of osteoporosis
As osteoporosis is called a "silent disease," most of the women do not bear any symptoms until they get a fracture. In the words of Dr Sharma, "Many women do not even know that they have osteoporosis until they break a bone. By that time, the disease, in most cases, has advanced."
A fracture is the most significant sign of osteoporosis, and usually, these are fractures in the wrist, hip, or spine after a minimal fall and/or injury. These can be very painful and lead to difficulty in movement, thus affecting one's lifestyle. Dr Sharma says, "If a woman suffers from a low-impact fracture, bone density has to be done."
- Reduction in height and change in posture
In addition, there is usually a prominent loss of height with age or a person bending forward due to weak bones of the spine. Vertebrae can break down and cause pain in the back as well as the compression of the vertebral column, which can make a person look hunched.
Especially in elderly women, chronic pain in the back can be an indicator of a previous fracture of a vertebra due to osteoporosis. While it is true that not all backache complaints are due to osteoporosis, this is one specific symptom, however, that should be taken seriously in any woman who has gone through menopause.
Prevention of osteoporosis
- Calcium and vitamin D intake
Preventing osteoporosis for women focuses on
bone density building and maintenance. In Dr. Sharma's opinion, "the first line of defence is ensuring adequate calcium and vitamin D intake. Women should and aim to take foods or supplements that contain about 1000-1200 mg of calcium daily and about 600-800 IU of vitamin D, especially if there is insufficient sunlight."
Also very important for bone health are weight-bearing activities like walking, running, or resistance training. Also, Dr Sharma says, "The
include not only stronger bones and muscles, but furthermore, it is useful in the prevention of falls, which is the major cause of fractures in old women."
Availing these internal prescriptions and embracing psychosocial soundness and limits on alcohol intake is very important. Dr Sharma says, "Both smoking and alcohol weaken bones over time because they inhibit the absorption of calcium into the body."
Dr Sharma recommends that women, especially those within the post-menopausal age bracket or those with risk factors such as a history of the disease within the family, undertake regular bone density tests and DEXA scans. "These tests are useful in the early detection of the condition and enable treatment to be offered before fractures take place," she explains.
