Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens your bones, making fractures more likely. It's most common later in life, especially in women after menopause. But it's possible for children and teens to develop juvenile osteoporosis. This most often happens in children between ages 8 and 14.
Osteoporosis can occur at any age, although the risk for developing the disease increases as you get older. For many women, the disease begins to develop a year or two before menopause. Other factors to consider include: Osteoporosis is most common in non-Hispanic white women and Asian women.
While osteoporosis is most common in older people, it sometimes affects young people, including premenopausal women in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Although a broken bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis, some older people develop the characteristic stooped (bent forward) posture. It happens when the bones in the spine have broken, making it difficult to support the weight of the body. Osteoporosis can be treated with bone strengthening medicines.
"Genetics, medications such as prednisone, certain diseases such as celiac and Crohn's disease, and cancer treatmentsare all possible causes of early-onset osteoporosis."
There is no cure for osteoporosis, but treatment can help to slow or stop the loss of bone density and reduce the risk of fractures. This may involve medications, diet changes, exercise, and steps to prevent fracturing a bone.
significant loss of range of motion or contracture. significant strength differences between sides. back pain (there is a high prevalence of back pain in patients with osteoporosis, which is related to limited functional ability and the pain may need management first) inability to master a hip hinge.
Osteoporosis is often confused with osteoarthritis since often people have both. While osteoarthritis is a complex disease that causes joint pain and reduces joint mobility and function, osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass which causes risk of fractures.
Getting too much vitamin D, especially above 4,000 IU per day, can be dangerous. If you already have osteoporosis, keep in mind that vitamin D and calcium alone are not enough to treat the disease. You'll need to take them along with other medications your doctor prescribes.
Osteoporosis is not a terminal illness and does not directly influence life expectancy. However, having a fracture can affect it. For example, a 2021 study found that older adults living in a care facility who experienced a hip fracture had a 25% death rate after 3 months.
Osteoporosis is caused by a loss of bone density. It is a chronic condition, which means there is no cure, but medical therapies may help manage the problem(opens in a new tab).
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-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn't keep up with the loss of old bone.
While men and women of all races can develop osteoporosis, post-menopausal white and Asian women are at highest risk. Men with low testosterone levels. Testosterone helps keep bones strong. Smokers and heavy drinkers (more than two drinks a day on most days).
The result is your T score. A T score of -1 to +1 is considered normal bone density. A T score of -1 to -2.5 indicates osteopenia (low bone density). A T score of -2.5 or lower is bone density low enough to be categorized as osteoporosis.
Both arthritis and osteoporosis can cause pain around the joints and bones.
A bone density test cannot be taken at home.
Up to 80% of the variation in axial BMD was explained by weight and pubertal stage, with pubertal stage being the strongest single predictor.
Weight loss and bone loss can sometimes go hand in hand. Doctors know that women with anorexia, who severely restrict calories for a long time, are at increased risk for osteoporosis.
But "you can live with osteoporosis for a long, long time and never have complications such as fractures -- if you take certain precautions," says Felicia Cosman, MD, osteoporosis expert and medical director of the clinical research center at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, N.Y.
Osteoporosis is not reversible, but medication, a nutrient-dense diet, and weight bearing exercise can help prevent further bone loss and rebuild bones.