What is Osteoporosis?
Also known as the “silent thief” is a chronic bone disease that occurs when low bone mass is present with deterioration within the bone tissue
Causes bones to become thin and porous
Called the silent thief because there are often no symptoms of bone loss until the damage is done
Osteoporosis leads to an increase risk of fractures, especially in the hip, spine, wrist, and shoulders
Peak bone mass is reached at ages 16-20 in females, and 20-25 in males
Bones mass begins to deteriorate in mid 30’s
When women reach menopause, their bone mass deterioration accelerates from 2-3% each year
How bone renews itself by replacing old bone with new bone
osteoclasts erode the bone creating small cavities, osteoblasts are bone forming cells that fill in those cavities with new bone
Impact of the disease:
This disease can be very devastating for most individuals suffering from it, it changes one’s quality of life significantly
Disfigurement, decreased self-esteem, loss of mobility, increased isolation, and loss of independence
Risk factors:
Age: 65+
Sex: more prevalent in women
Vertebral compression factures
Fragility fracture after the age of 40
Recent fractures
More than 3 months on glucocorticoid drugs
Medical conditions that decrease the absorption of nutrients
Medications that promote bone loss
Glucocorticoids: prednisone – high levels of glucocorticoids are associated with decreased activity of bone-forming cells and increased activity of the cells that break down bone, which in turn, results in bone loss
Breast cancer drugs: aromatase inhibitors anastrozole – prevent estrogen production, which results in low blood levels of estrogen, causes bone loss
Prostate cancer drugs: androgen deprivation therapy – associated with decreased bone mineral density
Heartburn medications: proton pump inhibitors – long term use are associated with increased risk of fractures due to less calcium being absorbed from foods because of...