Osteoporosis: Reasons, How to Combat, Lifestyle Changes, and More

Osteoporosis is a type of bone disease that weakens bones, causing them to break easily. Although it commonly affects older people, especially women after menopause, men are prone to getting the condition too. Often referred to as a “silent disease”, osteoporosis usually stays undetected until a bone breaks to expose it. Various factors can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, with age being the most common contributing factor, says Dr. Lokesh A V, Consultant – Orthopaedics, Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road.

Osteoporosis: Causes, Lifestyle Changes, and More

Our bones are living tissues – they constantly undergo the process of formation and resorption. As we age, this balance can change. In osteoporosis, bones are losing bone minerals more than the body can replace them with new minerals, leaving them thinner and more brittle.

Various factors can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, with age being the most common contributing factor. Women are at higher risk, especially after menopause, because estrogen levels drop drastically at this stage. The other factors responsible for osteoporosis may include:

1. Aging
2. ⁠Family history
3. ⁠Calcium or vitamin D deficiency 
4. ⁠Lack of exercise
5. ⁠Smoking
6. Alcohol consumption
7. ⁠Certain medicines like steroids

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How to Combat This Silent Disease?

Your bone strength can be checked by a special X-ray scan called a DEXA or bone mineral density (BMD) scan. It is completely painless and measures the mineral density or strength of your bone. If the result shows a low score, it means your bones are weaker, and you may have osteoporosis and or be at higher risk of developing it.

Fractures related to osteoporosis can be caused by even a minor fall or bump. These fractures most often occur in the hip, spine, and wrist. These breaks can lead to long-term pain, trouble walking, or even disability, especially in older adults.

However, the good news is that osteoporosis is completely treatable by measures like lifestyle changes and medical management.

1. Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Your everyday habits make a big difference in how strong your bones will be:

• Eat a diet suitable for bones: Include foods high in calcium and vitamin D. Good sources of calcium would include dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt), leafy green vegetables, and meals fortified with calcium. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and can come from sunlight, supplements, or foods like fatty fish and eggs.

•Exercise regularly: Weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises like walking, climbing stairs, dancing, or lifting weights can help build and maintain bone strength.

•Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and heavy alcohol use can weaken bones and make treatment less effective.

2. Medications for Osteoporosis

We usually prescribe certain medications for osteoporosis to delay bone loss and help build new bone. Some common treatments include:

•Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid): These are often the first choice and help slow down bone loss.

•Denosumab: An injection given every 6 months that reduces bone breakdown.

•Teriparatide or abaloparatide: These are daily injections that help build new bone and are usually used in severe cases.

•Romosozumab: A newer medication that both builds bone and slows bone loss.

•Hormone-related therapy: Estrogen therapy or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like raloxifene may be helpful in some women, especially around menopause.

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