Osteoporosis is associated with increased risk of developing dry eye syndrome, which can cause blurred vision and increase the risk of fall and fracture. The fact that both diseases are more prevalent in older populations means that any association between them could be of considerable importance to clinicians.
Osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome is a rare condition characterized by severe thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) and eye abnormalities that lead to vision loss. In people with this condition, osteoporosis is usually recognized in early childhood.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is called a “silent” disease” because there are typically no symptoms until a bone is broken. Symptoms of vertebral (spine) fracture include severe back pain, loss of height, or spine malformations such as a stooped or hunched posture (kyphosis).
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes weak, thinning bones. This leaves the bones at greater risk of breaking. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists. Women are 4 times more likely to get osteoporosis than men because of a decrease in estrogen after menopause.
A lifelong lack of calcium plays a role in the development of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. Eating disorders.
“Red Flags” That Warrant Further Assessment for Osteoporosis or Other Bone Diseases. Low body weight is another important “red flag” signaling the potential for osteoporosis; low body weight is associated with lower BMD and greater bone loss, even in premenopausal women (Bainbridge et al. 2004).
Men who began treatment at age 50 had a life expectancy of 18.2 years, while the life expectancy for a man beginning treatment at 75 was an average of 7.5 years. For women, the figure was 26.4 years for those beginning treatment at 50 and 13.5 years for those beginning treatment at 75.
Without any intervention, osteoporosis can progress to stage four. During this stage the effects of significant bone loss become visible. Softening of the bones and accumulated fragility fractures, especially in the spine, results in deformity.
It's not clear why people with osteoporosis may experience fatigue, but it could be because your body is lacking in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to both poor bone health and make you feel tired. Another connection may be between certain medications taken for osteoporosis.
In addition to managing your osteoporosis, it's important to avoid activities that may cause a fracture. Such activities include movements that involve twisting your spine, like swinging a golf club, or bending forward from the waist, like sit ups and toe touches.
Poor diet – If your diet doesn't include enough calcium or vitamin D, or if you're very underweight, you'll be at greater risk of osteoporosis. Heavy smoking – Tobacco is directly toxic to bones. In women it lowers the oestrogen level and may cause early menopause.
Cataracts – cataracts that develop and cause blurry vision can also be caused by calcium deficiency. Lack of calcium don't just affect the bones but also affect your nervous system and organs such as the eyes.
Bisphosphonates are usually the first choice for osteoporosis treatment. These include: Alendronate (Fosamax), a weekly pill. Risedronate (Actonel), a weekly or monthly pill.
Sudden, severe back pain that gets worse when you are standing or walking with some relief when you lie down. Trouble twisting or bending your body, and pain when you do. Loss of height.
Osteoporosis can be serious. Fractures can alter or threaten your life. A significant number of people have osteoporosis and have hip fractures die within one year of the fracture.
Osteoporosis is Serious
When osteoporosis affects vertebrae, or the bones of the spine, it often leads to a stooped or hunched posture. Osteoporosis may limit mobility, which often leads to feelings of isolation or depression.
If you have osteoporosis, you may be at risk for tooth loss. When the jawbone becomes less dense tooth loss can occur. Women with osteoporosis tend to have fewer teeth than women with normal bone density.
People with osteoporosis are at risk for decreased mobility because their bones are susceptible to fracture. And, fractures—particularly in the hips and spine—can threaten your ability to move freely.
Osteoporosis is not reversible, but medication, a nutrient-dense diet, and weight bearing exercise can help prevent further bone loss and rebuild bones. Osteoporosis weaken bones so that they are more likely to break.
The long-term effects of osteoporosis include a progressive loss of bone density, resulting in a higher risk of broken bones. Bone loss leads to fractures or fissures, which cause pain and other symptoms depending on the site.
According to the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) still represents the "gold standard" for diagnosis of osteoporosis and fracture risk prediction.
However, osteoporosis does not usually cause pain unless you have a fracture. And it is unlikely that the leg pain you describe is from osteoporosis.