What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is reduction in bone mineral density & bone mass due to multiple causes leading to weakening of bones. This process is usually painless & goes under the radar unless any trivial fall leads to a fracture.

What are the major causes of osteoporosis?

• Lack of adequate nutrition in diet (Iron, Protein, Vit D3, Calcium)
  
• Post-menopausal women due to lack of Oestrogen which stimulates bone formation 
  
• Similarly, increasing age reduced testosterone in males
  
• Lack of exercise / sedentary lifestyle
  
• Chronic inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis cause rapid resorption of bone as compared to its formation leading to the weakening of bone architecture 
  
• Diseases like Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Renal failure
  

Why is Osteoporosis dangerous?

Osteoporosis leads to various fractures like the vertebrae, wrist, the hip. Hip fracture in an elderly person can be very dangerous as due to the fracture the person becomes bedridden & In an elderly person this invites serious complications like Deep Vein Thrombosis and pulmonary Embolism which can be life-threatening. 

These two complications can occur even after the surgery is performed & the person has started walking 

What other aspects of Osteoporosis can be problematic?

Due to multiple microfractures, there are constant aches & pains in various bones of the body leading to a reduction in activities of daily living like going out for a walk, recreational exercise, and attending social functions eventually leading to the person being house ridden & socially withdrawn which might lead to irritation & emotional outbursts taking a toll on the persons mental health as well

How to identify Osteoporosis?

People of age group beyond 50 in females & beyond 60 in males have multiple bone pains like pain in the back, legs, and arms especially while walking, standing, or doing some activity, this is associated with muscle pain & cramps at night. 

How is Osteoporosis diagnosed?

Osteoporosis can be easily diagnosed & quantified with a DEXA scan which is a modified x-ray machine to measure bone density.

What is the treatment of osteoporosis?

Apart from specific medications to treat the condition a protein & iron rich diet forms the core of Osteoporosis management, along with regular exercise to improve the bone quality

I am already taking calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis but I am still having bone & muscle pain why is it so?

As discussed early lack of protein and iron in a diet with a sedentary lifestyle will lead to osteoporosis in spite of calcium supplementation