What Is Osteoporosis Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and More Everyday Health

What Is Osteoporosis Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and More Everyday Health

What Is Osteoporosis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and More Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Osteoporosis What Is Osteoporosis Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment and Prevention By Cathy CassataMedically Reviewed by Michael Natter, MDReviewed: August 5, 2022Medically ReviewedOsteoporosis is a disease in which bones deteriorate or become brittle and fragile due to low bone mass and bone tissue loss. The condition is often referred to as a “silent disease,” because you cannot feel your bones getting weaker, and many people don’t even know they have the condition until after they break a bone. Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, particularly of the hips, spine, and wrists. In fact, osteoporosis causes an estimated nine million fractures each year worldwide. (1) Common Questions & AnswersCan you rebuild bone density after developing osteoporosis?You can’t restore your bone density to what it was at its peak, but you can stimulate bone formation and slow age-related bone loss by engaging in weight-bearing and muscle-building exercises, following a healthy diet, and taking one of the drugs approved for the treatment of osteoporosis.Is there a cure for osteoporosis?No. It’s believed osteoporosis can be prevented by building strong bones in the first place before age 30. But if you do develop osteoporosis, you can slow your rate of bone loss and possibly increase your bone density by using one or more of the available drugs for osteoporosis, along with healthy lifestyle changes.What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?Prevention is the best treatment for osteoporosis. Barring that, a combination of regular weight-bearing exercise, a healthy diet high in plant foods, and an osteoporosis drug that you and your doctor agree is safe for you is the best treatment, along with stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake.Can you reverse osteopenia, or below-normal bone density?You can strengthen your bones and lower the likelihood that osteopenia (an early sign of low bone mass) will turn into osteoporosis by following a nutritious diet, consuming the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D in food or supplements, maintaining a healthy weight, doing weight-bearing exercises regularly, limiting your alcohol intake, and quitting smoking if you smoke.Does having osteoporosis affect a person’s life expectancy?Having osteoporosis reduces a person’s life expectancy, a study found, but just how much depended on the age at which treatment was started. In general, the younger a person was, the larger the reduction in life expectancy, with men having a much higher risk of mortality than women. Symptoms of OsteoporosisIn its early stages, osteoporosis generally causes no symptoms. But in many cases the first symptom a person may have is a broken bone, often as a result of a fall, and most frequently in the spine, wrist, hips, or pelvis. Over time, a person with osteoporosis may notice back pain, loss of height, a stooped posture, and easily-occurring bone fractures. Learn More About Osteoporosis Symptoms Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis Bone is living, growing tissue that consists mostly of the protein collagen, which provides a soft framework, and the mineral calcium phosphate, which adds strength and hardens the framework. Bone is not a static part of the body — it’s constantly being resorbed (broken down) and formed throughout your life. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), your entire skeleton is replaced about every 10 years, though this slows down as you age. (2) During your childhood and teenage years, bone formation occurs more quickly than bone resorption, resulting in growth. Osteoporosis is more likely to develop if you did not reach optimal peak bone mass during your bone-building years. You reach your maximum bone density and strength around age 30, after which time bone resorption slowly overtakes bone formation. Osteoporosis develops when there’s an abnormal imbalance between bone resorption and formation — that is, resorption occurs too quickly, or formation too slowly. (3) Anything that causes your body to destroy too much bone can cause your bones to become brittle or fragile.Women experience the most bone loss during the first few years after menopause, and they continue to lose bone from this point on. This is because estrogen (as well as testosterone) encourages bone health, so a decrease in the hormone will hasten the weakening of bones. Most Recent in Osteoporosis People Diagnosed With Early Onset Dementia Are at Higher Risk for Suicide Lifting Weights Linked With Living Longer Experimental Alzheimer s Drug Slows Cognitive Decline in Large StudySee all in OsteoporosisNumerous factors are associated with a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Some people who develop osteoporosis have several risk factors, but others have none. Some risk factors are inherent and cannot be changed. These factors include:Being a woman, particularly in your postmenopausal yearsHaving a family history of fracturesBeing age 50 or olderHaving small or thin bonesBeing Caucasian or AsianHaving low estrogen levels (from menopause or missing menstrual periods) in women, or low testosterone in menSmokingExcessive alcohol consumptionAnorexia or bulimiaDietary deficiencies in calcium and vitamin DLack of exerciseLong-term use of certain drugs, including glucocorticoids and some anticonvulsants Learn More About Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis Diagnosis of Osteoporosis To determine whether you have osteoporosis, your doctor will assess your risk factors and perform a bone mineral density (BMD) test. The most common BMD test is called DXA (also abbreviated DEXA), or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This scan is painless and is similar to having an X-ray taken, but with less exposure to radiation. (4) T-scores, which compare a person’s bone mineral density to average values for healthy young women, are used to measure DXA outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes T-scores as follows:Normal: T-score of -1.0 and aboveOsteopenia (low bone density): T-score of -1.1 to -2.4Osteoporosis: T-score of -2.5 and belowSevere osteoporosis: T-score of -2.6 and below with a history of fracture (5)More on Osteoporosis Risk Menopause Before 40 Risk of Broken Bones May Be HigherA tool called FRAX is used to assess a person’s probability of bone fracture in the next 10 years. (6) The assessment tool is available online, but you need to know your bone mineral density at the hip to use it. The FRAX tool takes into consideration various risk factors associated with fracture — including age, sex, weight, height, previous fracture, smoking, alcohol intake, and others — as well as a person’s bone mineral density at the hip, as measured with a DXA. Learn More About How Osteoporosis Is Diagnosed Duration of Osteoporosis There’s no cure for osteoporosis — once it develops, it’s a lifelong condition — but you can work to protect and strengthen your bones. The right treatment plan, including weight-bearing and muscle-building exercise, a healthy diet, and medication, can slow further bone loss. Treatment for Osteoporosis A variety of medication and lifestyle approaches can help slow the rate of bone loss that occurs in osteoporosis. Some drugs, called antiresorptive medications, slow the breakdown of bone. These drugs include bisphosphonates and hormone therapy. Other medicines, called anabolic drugs, promote bone formation. Human monoclonal antibodies protect bones from degradation and slow the progression of osteoporosis.Related 5 Common Osteoporosis Drugs Safe or Dangerous Side effects associated with bisphosphonates include gastrointestinal issues and muscle, bone, and joint pain. In extremely rare cases, bisphosphonates have been associated with jaw bone deterioration (osteonecrosis) and also carry a risk for atypical femoral fracture (a crack in the thigh bone). New guidelines for screening and treatment were issued in 2019 by the Endocrine Society. (7) One of the new recommendations is that postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture be treated with medication (initially bisphosphonates), but that women at lower risk may opt to go on a “bisphosphonate holiday” (or temporary discontinuation) after three to five years, pending further evaluation. You should speak to your doctor about the best strategy for you, based on your bone mineral density, estimated fracture risk, lifestyle, and any other medical conditions you may have. Learn More About Osteoporosis Treatment Drugs to Treat Osteoporosisalendronate (Fosamax)zoledronic acid (Reclast)risedronate (Actonel)ibandronate (Boniva)denosumab (Prolia)calcitonin (Calcimar) Prevention of OsteoporosisAbout 85 to 90 percent of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and 20 in boys, so building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can help prevent osteoporosis later in life. (8) There are some lifestyle choices you can make to help prevent osteoporosis, such as: Not Smoking In addition to being harmful to the heart and lungs, smoking is also bad for bones, since those who smoke may absorb less calcium from the foods they eat. Avoiding Drinking Alcohol in Excess People who drink a lot of alcohol are more prone to bone loss and broken bones due to poor diet and risk of falling. Following a Healthy Diet Following a nutritious diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D is critical to bone health.Performing Weight-Bearing Exercise Physical activities that force you to work against gravity, such as walking and hiking, strengthen your bones and your muscles. How to Exercise Safely With OsteoporosisArticle Healthy Diet for Osteoporosis Calcium and Vitamin DWhile a broad range of nutrients contribute to bone health, two in particular merit discussion: calcium and vitamin D. Calcium A lack of calcium in the body over time contributes to the development of osteoporosis. Researchers have shown that low calcium intake is connected to low bone mass, rapid bone loss, and high fracture rates. Throughout life, the body needs different levels of calcium. The body’s need for calcium is highest during childhood and adolescence because the skeleton is growing rapidly. Pregnant women and those breastfeeding also need a lot of calcium, as do postmenopausal women and older men. As you age, your body becomes less efficient at absorbing calcium and other nutrients. Plus, the older you are, the more likely you are to take medication for various health conditions, and those drugs can interfere with calcium being absorbed into the body. (3) The NIH notes that national nutrition surveys report that many Americans consume less than half of the recommended amount of calcium. (3) Foods that are good sources of calcium include:Low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice creamDark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, bok choy, and spinachSardines and salmon with bonesTofu made with calcium sulfateAlmondsCalcium-fortified foods, such as orange juice, soy milk, cereals, and breads If you don’t get enough calcium from food, you may need to take a calcium supplement. Talk with your doctor about the right amount to take for your body. Vitamin D Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from both food and supplements. It helps your muscles move, because nerves need vitamin D to carry messages from your body to your brain. Your immune system also needs vitamin D to fight against bacteria and viruses.Osteoporosis Supplements Do You Need a Vitamin D Supplement Many people get some vitamin D naturally from the sunlight — the body makes vitamin D when skin is directly exposed to the sun. But studies show that vitamin D production decreases in the elderly and those who are housebound, as well as in all people during the winter. Food sources that provide vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver. The amount of vitamin D you need varies depending on your age and, for women, whether or not you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. The Food and Nutrition Board recommends these average daily amounts in international units (IU): (9)Birth to 12 months: 400 IUChildren 1–13 years: 600 IUTeens 14–18 years: 600 IUAdults 19–70 years: 600 IUAdults 71 years and older: 800 IUPregnant and breastfeeding women: 600 IU It’s important to note that more vitamin D does not always equal “better.” It is possible to overdose on vitamin D from excessive supplement use, which can lead to very high levels of calcium and be potentially deadly in extreme cases. Stick to the recommended dosage as much as possible, and check out the National Institutes of Health for a chart with the tolerable upper intake levels for each age group. Learn More About Healthy Eating When You Have Osteoporosis Complications of Osteoporosis Bone fractures are the most serious complication of osteoporosis, and the condition itself is serious, causing death in some cases. The Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) gives the following perspective on the condition (8):Among hip fracture patients who are 50 or older, 24 percent die within the year following the fracture.Six months after a hip fracture, only 15 percent of patients can walk across a room without help.Of the nearly 300,000 people who have a hip fracture each year, 25 percent end up in nursing homes, and 50 percent never regain previous function. Osteoporosis-related bone fractures most commonly occur in the spine, followed by the wrists, hips, and pelvis. These fractures usually result from minor falls or accidents, but spinal fractures may also occur if the vertebrae (spinal bones) weaken to the point of crumbling.More on Preventing Falls 10 Health Conditions to Watch For as You AgeWhile some vertebral fractures cause no symptoms, others can cause back pain and a hunched posture. Aside from causing pain and altering your posture, osteoporosis and bone fractures can reduce mobility and affect your emotional state, resulting in depression and anxiety. Osteoporosis also places financial burdens on individuals and society as a whole. The BHOF reports that osteoporosis-related bone breaks cost people, their families, and the U.S. healthcare system $19 billion per year. Moreover, by 2025, it’s predicted that osteoporosis will cause three million fractures in the United States, resulting in $25.3 billion in costs. (8) Related Conditions of Osteoporosis Osteopenia Often Precedes Osteoporosis Bone mineral density that is lower than normal but not low enough to be considered osteoporosis is called osteopenia. Osteopenia shares the same risk factors as osteoporosis, and it raises the risk of developing osteoporosis. But not everyone who has osteopenia goes on to develop osteoporosis. Generally, treatment for osteopenia includes weight-bearing exercise, adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, and other lifestyle measures. Learn More About Osteopenia Secondary Osteoporosis While the majority of osteoporosis is related to age or a decrease in hormone levels, sometimes it is caused by a medical condition or treatment that affects bone mass and causes bone loss. This is called secondary osteoporosis. Some disorders can also cause the bone marrow cavity to expand at the expense of the trabecular bone — the inner layer of bone that has a spongy, honeycomb-like structure. When this happens, the trabecular bone loses some of its strength. (10)Diseases and disorders that can cause secondary osteoporosis may include:Serious kidney failureCushing’s diseaseLiver impairmentAnorexia nervosa and bulimiaRheumatoid arthritisCeliac diseaseMultiple sclerosisChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)ScurvyHyperparathyroidismHyperthyroidismDiabetesHypercortisolismThalassemiaMultiple myelomaLeukemiaMetastatic bone diseases The following drugs or chemicals can also cause osteoporosis:Corticosteroid therapyLithiumBarbituratesAntacids containing aluminumTobacco (when used excessively)Alcohol (when used excessively) Treatment for secondary osteoporosis can be complex and may focus on treating the underlying condition or disease causing it. Other methods may include those used to prevent osteoporosis from developing. Most Popular in Osteoporosis How to Boost Bone Health Before and After Menopause Recognizing the Early Signs of Osteoporosis Famous Faces of Osteoporosis How to Prevent Falls and Ease Osteoporosis Fracture Risks Research and Statistics on OsteoporosisAs the most common type of bone disease, osteoporosis affects approximately 10 million Americans, and another 44 million people have low bone density, which puts them at risk for the disease, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. (10,11) While osteoporosis mainly affects women, men can also develop the condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it affects about 25 percent (1 in 4) of women 65 and over and around 5 percent (1 in 20) of men 65 and over. (12) Fracture prevention is a key area of focus in osteoporosis research, including the use of supplements. A meta-analysis published in December 2019 in JAMA Network Open found that fracture risk could be cut significantly by taking vitamin D and calcium supplements together, but there were no benefits observed from supplementing with vitamin D alone. (13) Current clinical trials suggest that researchers are also looking for better ways of screening for osteoporosis, new drugs for treating it (or better ways of administering currently used drugs), and the value of various forms of exercise in treating osteoporosis and preventing falls and fractures. Editor s Picks 10 Essential Facts About Osteoporosis The Osteoporosis-Menopause Connection 3 Natural Ways to Build Bones and Prevent Osteoporosis Top Health Conditions Related to Osteoporosis Resources We Love Favorite Bone Health BasicsNIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center Whether you’re reeling from a diagnosis or have just heard you’re at risk of osteoporosis because of a condition such as lupus or celiac disease, this resource gives you the basic information you need to understand your situation and take action. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) Having your bone density tested is pretty straightforward, but understanding your results often isn’t. Luckily, the BHOF lays it out in plain terms so you know where you stand. Favorite Osteoporosis Podcast and Videos Bone Talk If you like to learn from podcasts, this project of the National Osteoporosis Foundation is for you. It features interviews with doctors and caregivers as well as tips from women living with osteoporosis. Own the Bone Real people talk about real experiences with osteoporosis-related fractures in these videos from the American Orthopaedic Association. Favorite Osteoporosis Online Community American Bone Health When you need support and answers from other people living with osteoporosis, this is the place to find them. American Bone Health has teamed up with HealthUnlocked to create a moderated, online, peer-to-peer osteoporosis community. Also look for live “Freedom from Fractures” events in your community. Fall Prevention 101 OrthoInfo Falls can be devastating, but they can also be prevented, as this article from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) explains. Understanding your risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices, including engaging in regular exercise, can go a long way toward staying upright. Favorite Info Source for Girls Best Bones Forever! Help the girls in your life start healthy bone habits early with this special page on the American Bone Health website. Interested girls will learn what bones are made of, how to keep them strong, and what can weaken them. Favorite Exercise and Osteoporosis Resources Harvard Health Publishing If you just need a place to start, the three exercises illustrated in this article will fit the bill, focusing on the major muscle areas that keep you upright when standing. International Osteoporosis Foundation For a more comprehensive set of exercise recommendations, this is the place to go. However, you may need to seek out an exercise professional to put all of these recommendations in place in your own routine. ChoosePT by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) A physical therapist (PT) can help you learn exercises that will help prevent falling and fractures, as well as exercises that will help you regain mobility and function after a fracture. Learn more about PTs and the conditions they can help with. Favorite Vitamin D Resources NIH Office of Dietary Supplements While the vitamin D fact sheet on this site is written for health professionals, it still has a lot of good information for consumers who want to know what foods contain vitamin D and how sun exposure can raise your vitamin D levels. The NIH also offers a page of Frequently Asked Questions about the use and safety of dietary supplements. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Perhaps you don’t want an exhaustive list of foods containing vitamin D. That’s where the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 can help, with a list of nearly 40 common foods and their vitamin D content. MedlinePlus MedlinePlus aggregates links to other sources of info, so if you have a specific vitamin D question or want to dig deeper into vitamin D knowledge, check out the links here. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Chronic Pain Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking Johnell O, Kanis JA. An Estimate of the Worldwide Prevalence and Disability Associated With Osteoporotic Fractures. Osteoporosis International. December 2006.What Causes Bone Loss? MedlinePlus. May 13, 2020.Osteoporosis Overview. NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. October 2019.Evaluation of Bone Health/Bone Density Testing. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation.World Health Organization — WHO Criteria for Diagnosis of Osteoporosis. 4BoneHealth.org.Welcome to FRAX. FRAX Fracture Risk Assessment Tool.Eastell R, Rosen C, Black DM, et al. Pharmacological Management of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. May 2019.Osteoporosis Fast Facts [PDF]. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation.Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Consumers. National Institutes of Health. June 2, 2022.About Osteoporosis: Secondary Osteoporosis. International Osteoporosis Foundation.Osteoporosis — Overview. MedlinePlus. January 1, 2020.Does Osteoporosis Run in Your Family? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 20, 2022.Yao P, Bennett D, Mafham M, et al. Vitamin D and Calcium for the Prevention of Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Network Open. December 20, 2019.Additional SourcesAbrahamsen B, Osmond C, Cooper C. Life Expectancy in Patients Treated for Osteoporosis: Observational Cohort Study Using National Danish Prescription Data. Journal of Bone Mineral Research. May 21, 2015.Show Less The Latest in Osteoporosis New Guidance for Osteoporosis Management in Older Women ReleasedTargeted pharmacologic therapies for prevention may make sense for women at high risk of fracture.By Becky UphamSeptember 13, 2021 Study Finds Osteoporosis Is Underdiagnosed and Undertreated in MenA very small percentage of older men with bone fractures had recent bone mineral density testing.By Brian P. DunleavyNovember 12, 2020 New Guidelines Released for Osteoporosis Therapy During the COVID-19 PandemicBone health experts emphasize the importance of continuing drug therapies and provide recommendations for those who must miss a treatment.By Becky UphamMay 12, 2020 For Postmenopausal Women More Physical Activity May Mean Fewer Hip FracturesA large study finds that older women who spend more time being active have fewer hip fractures.By Becky UphamOctober 28, 2019 Statins Are Associated With a Higher — or Lower — Risk of Osteoporosis Depending on the DoseA new study finds that low daily doses of these cholesterol-lowering medications are associated with lower osteoporosis risk, while higher doses are associated...By Don RaufOctober 4, 2019 To Prevent Fractures Get the Order of Osteoporosis Drugs Right Study SaysNew research suggests that bisphosphonate use before taking Prolia could reduce fracture risk after discontinuation.By Becky UphamJune 20, 2019 Study Shows a Higher Than Expected Risk for OsteoporosisNutrition and physical activity are linked to men's and women's loss of bone density at younger ages.By Becky UphamJune 5, 2019 New Osteoporosis Drug Evenity Approved by the FDAThe bone-building therapy offers new treatment benefits, but also new risks.By Becky UphamApril 16, 2019 New Osteoporosis Guidelines Issued for Postmenopausal WomenNew guidelines encourage medication for women at high risk of fracture but permit ‘drug holidays’ for some.By Shari RoanMarch 26, 2019 Reclast Zoledronate Prevents Fractures in Women With OsteopeniaNew study results open up a treatment option for older women at risk for bone fracture.By Brian P. DunleavyDecember 27, 2018 MORE IN 5 Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency That Don t Involve Digestion Osteoporosis Symptoms and Diagnosis Vitamin D Deficiency Causes Symptoms Risk Factors
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