Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes your bones to become brittle and weak, making them fragile and prone to fractures. Osteoporosis usually develops gradually over some years and is diagnosed when a sudden impact or mild stresses cause your bone to break. This condition is not usually painful until your bone becomes fractured, but bone fractures in the spine are often associated with long-term pain. While bone fractures are the common sign of osteoporosis, some people, especially old people, develop the bent forward posture that occurs when the bones in your spine break. In this post, we will take a closer look at the possible treatments for Boca Raton osteoporosis.
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Causes of Osteoporosis
Our bones typically go through a constant process of renewal in which old bones are destroyed and new ones are formed. Young people can build new bones more quickly than old bones decompose. Your bone mass is lost considerably more quickly as you become older than it is gained. This suggests that your risk of osteoporosis is lower the higher your peak bone mass. Some typical risk factors that can raise your risk of having osteoporosis include the following:
1. Age
One of the biggest risk factors of osteoporosis is age, where older people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than older people. As you grow older, your body starts to break down bone at a faster rate than it can replace it. This leads to the growth of bone that is more fragile and less dense, which is more prone to osteoporosis.
2. Menopause
Menopause is another major risk factor for osteoporosis, common among women aged between 45 to 55 years. Since menopause is linked to a change in hormone levels, it causes your body to lose its bone mass more quickly. While men also lose bone at this age, women lose their bone mass even more quickly.
3. Body frame size
People who have small body frames are usually at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. This is because they have a reduced bone mass that may deplete quickly as they age.
4. Sex
A study has proven that women are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis compared to men.
5. Race
People who are white or of Asian descent are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
6. Thyroid Issues
When you take too much thyroid medication or if your thyroid is overactive, bone loss might result from an excess of thyroid hormone.
7. Sex hormones
Lowered sex hormones can lead to weakened bones. Treatments for prostate cancer can reduce testosterone levels in men, and breast cancer treatment can decrease estrogen levels in women.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
During an osteoporosis diagnosis, your healthcare provider will first recommend a medical exam that will help provide them with more information about your bone health. Your provider may order Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests, also referred to as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) scans. These tests involve the use of very small radiation amounts that help determine how solid the bones of your spinal cord, wrist, or hip area are. There are also plenty of effective treatments for osteoporosis, such as mineral and vitamin supplements, medications, and exercise.
At MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists, we strive to provide primary health care services and effectively manage all aspects of gynecology and obstetrics for both children and women. Our well-experienced female team of medical experts has embraced the use of a holistic approach to help get rid of your osteoporosis problem. Take the initiative today and schedule an appointment today or contact our offices at 561-288-2442.
