Health Information

Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. It affects approximately 55 percent of people over 50 .Osteoporosis is a disease where bones are very fragile. Without the right osteoporosis treatment, frequent bone fractures may occur, often in the hip, the spine and the wrist. The exact causes of osteoporosis are not known, but many risk factors have been identified.The fragility of the bones is osteoporosis occurs because there is a low bone mass and the bone tissue has deteriorated.
Can Osteoporosis Lead to Other Complications?
Osteoporosis complications generally relate to fractures that may occur because of the fragility of the bones. Fractures caused by osteoporosis usually occur in the hip, the spine, the wrists or the ribs. However, osteoporosis can affect any bone in the body, which may lead to bone fractures.
A hip fracture is the most serious complication that may result from osteoporosis. Hip fractures require long-term hospitalization and care. They can affect a person’s ability to walk for a very long time and may lead to an increased risk of death.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Many people experience no symptoms of osteoporosis until they experience a fracture. It is not usually accompanied by other symptoms, and many people suffer osteoporosis without realizing it. Sometimes osteoporosis in the spine may be accompanied by back pain, height loss or spinal deformities.
Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
In order to diagnose osteoporosis, a bone mineral density test (or BMD) test will be needed. This test will check the bone density if different parts of the body. A low bone density will show that osteoporosis is present and help identify areas where bone fractures are likely to occur.

Treatment of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis treatment can not cure osteoporosis, but it can help prevent and treat osteoporosis. The osteoporosis medications may be prescribed.
* Bisphosphonates. These type of drugs include alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate and calcitonin. Alendronate is approved as an osteoporosis for men and for women who have glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Risedronate is used to prevent and treat glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
* Estrogen and hormone therapy. Parathyroid hormone is used to treat osteoporosis in men, who have a high risk of a bone fracture.
* Raloxifine is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. It is a type of estrogen therapy that may have fewer side effects those normal estrogen therapy methods. It helps with the augmentation of bone mineral density.