Osteoporosis: Symptoms, Causes, And Diagnosis

By Author: Suborna Fermi
Total Articles: 25
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A blood test is the ideal way to understand what is going on with your health. That is why doctors always recommend blood tests to determine if you have any underlying health conditions. In the case of diagnosing osteoporosis, doctors recommend a bone density test as well as certain blood tests. Let's explore more about osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone conditions in which a person experiences a significant loss of bone density. This condition causes the bones to become brittle and more likely to break due to minor activities.

As we age, our bones naturally lose their density and ability to repair themselves. With osteoporosis, the bones become more fragile than they should be. Generally, most people do not know that they have osteoporosis until it causes a bone fracture. Although this condition can cause the breaking of any bones in the body, osteoporosis mainly affects the bones of the hips, wrists, and spine.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is known as the silent disease, as it does not cause symptoms the same way ...
... other health disorders do. There would not be a fever, headache, or any other signs that could point to osteoporosis. The most common symptom of this disease is suddenly breaking a bone due to a minor accident or fall.

Although this condition does not cause any direct symptoms, you may experience other changes in your body due to low bone density or strength. The warning signs may include:

Lower back pain
Poor body posture
Shortness of breath
Losing a few inches of height

It can be difficult for you to detect your own bodily changes, but your close ones can notice these changes in your appearance.

What causes osteoporosis?

Our bones are living tissue like any other body part; they are continuously renewing their own tissues and cells. Your body generally develops more bones than you lose until the age of 30. After the age of 35, bone breakdown occurs more quickly than the body could replace it, which leads to a gradual loss of bone mass.

Osteoporosis develops as you get older when the bones lose their growth ability. Although everyone can be affected by osteoporosis, some people are more likely to be affected by this disorder. Some risk factors include:

People over 50 years old
Women in their postmenopausal period
People who are naturally slim
People who use tobacco products

Certain medical conditions can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, such as:

Endocrine disorders (like diabetes and thyroid disease)
Autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis)
A blood disorder or cancer that affect the blood (like multiple myeloma)
Gastrointestinal disorders (including inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease)

Some medications or surgical processes can contribute to osteoporosis, including:

Medicines to treat seizures
Corticosteroids (used to treat inflammation)
Anticoagulants
Bariatric surgery
Cancer therapy (including breast and prostate cancer)
Diuretics (used to lower high blood pressure)
Proton pump inhibitors (used to treat acid reflux)

Apart from all these, heavy alcohol consumption, a lack of physical activities, and a diet lacking vitamin D and calcium can make you more likely to develop osteoporosis.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose osteoporosis with a bone density test and a bone profile test. A bone density test includes an imaging test that helps your doctor understand your bone strength.

Osteoporosis does not cause any noticeable symptoms, which is why you should make sure to check your bone health with a bone profile blood test periodically. Also, make sure to add vitamin D and calcium-rich foods to your daily diet for better bone health.

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