
Top 5 Important Precautions Before Starting The Tom Platz Leg Workout!
Tom Platz leg workout - Learn more with Healthier Me Today! Tom Platz ...
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to weaken. As a result, the bones become fragile and more prone to fractures. The condition develops slowly. You may not even know that you have osteoporosis until a bone fracture occurs. People with osteoporosis suffer mostly from breaks in their hips, wrists, and even spinal bones.
The breaks can, however, happen to other bones. With osteoporosis, a cough or even a sneeze is enough to partially collapse a bone in the spine or break a rib. Osteoporosis is not painful until you get a fracture. However, several broken bones in the spine can lead to long-term pain and stooped posture.
There are two types of osteoporosis, characterized by the disease’s progression stage:
This is the stage that occurs before osteoporosis. At this stage, a scan will show that you have lower bone density than most people your age. The density is, however, not so low that it can be classified as osteoporosis. Osteopenia doesn’t always necessarily result in osteoporosis. Bone strengthening treatments ensure that osteopenia doesn’t become osteoporosis.
This stage occurs when osteopenia isn’t managed. The bones get weaker and thinner with time. Your risk of developing fractures thus increases. With severe osteoporosis, a strong cough, sneeze, or fall results in bone fractures. The condition also leads to loss of height as the bones in the spinal cord continue to break. A person will also experience chronic neck and back pain.
In the early stages, osteoporosis has no visible symptoms. As the bones continue to weaken, you may experience symptoms like:
A doctor determines your risk of bone fracturing using programs like Q-Fracture or FRAX. In most cases, a bone density exam, or DEXA exam, is used. It is a short 10 to 20-minute procedure that measures your bone strength. This is then compared to the bone strength of a person your age. The result is calculated using a standard deviation known as a “T score.”
Regular X-rays only show severe disease progression. If you are at risk of osteoporosis, you need to go for regular bone density tests. Women who are above 65 also need these tests frequently since women start to lose bone density after menopause.
Osteoporosis treatment involves treating or preventing broken bones. Most of the time, this involves taking bone-strengthening medications. A doctor will decide whether you require treatment based on your risk of fractures. It will also depend on factors like sex, age, and your bone density scan results.
Sometimes, treatment may include taking mineral and vitamin supplements. Supplements and exercises help prevent osteoporosis in the future. Speaking of exercising, focus on resistance training, balance, and weight-bearing exercises.
If you have osteoporosis, there are certain measures that you can take to reduce the risk of fracture.
FAQ
Healthier Me Today is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment, always consult with your healthcare professional. Stay healthy!