Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis usually occurs after the age of 50, is much more common in women than in men, and its incidence increases with advancing age. According to the findings of epidemiological studies in various countries, osteoporosis affects 25-35% of women and 15-20% of men aged 50 and over. 

Osteoporosis is the bone disease, in which the bones lose their density and quality. This is due to the thinning of the osseous tissue as well as the formation of pores in the bones. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and results in bone strain and an increased chance of fractures.

 Osteoporosis is distinguished into:

• Primary (Postmenopausal osteoporosis, Osteoporosis of the elderly or senile osteoporosis)
• Secondary

The most common form of osteoporosis is postmenopausal. It occurs in women after menopause and is related to the reduced production of estrogen, which is normally observed in women of this age. So-called elderly osteoporosis occurs in women and men aged 70 and over. Secondary osteoporosis develops in patients with certain diseases, such as e.g. hyperparathyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, etc

Factors that have been implicated in causing osteoporosis are

• Heredity (family history)
• The age
• Menopause/ Hysterectomy
• Low body weight
• Smoking, alcohol
• Taking certain medications for a long time (cortisol, antidepressants)
• Diseases such as (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, ankylosing spondylitis)

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Osteoporosis in its initial stage does not cause obvious symptoms and can remain "hidden" for years. The absence of symptoms for a long time is characteristic of it. It can take years of constant bone loss until the first symptom, which is a fracture, appears.  For this reason, a bone densitometry screening is recommended. Bone densitometry is a short, painless test that detects the first signs of osteoporosis or osteopenia, which is a "harbinger" of osteoporosis. Daily habits that affect bone health

About 85-90% of adult bone mass is acquired by the age of 18 in girls and 20 in boys. "Building" strong bones during childhood and adolescence can  to  help prevent osteoporosis at older ages. There are, however, risk factors that are amenable to intervention and daily habits that affect bone health

Diet poor in Calcium and Vitamin D: Calcium is a mineral that is a building block of bones and is very important for maintaining their health. Vitamin D enables your body to use calcium. If you do not get sufficient amounts of this vitamin with food or if your body cannot absorb it properly, then the risk of osteoporosis increases.

Diet Poor in Fruits and Vegetables: A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential in maintaining bone health. This is important because, apart from calcium and vitamin D, other minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, but also vitamins such as vitamin K, contribute to bone health.

The "sedentary" lifestyle: People who are less active, who do not exercise or perform physical activities every day, are at a higher level of risk for osteoporosis. Some types of daily exercise can help keep your bones in good shape.

Weight loss: While losing weight can protect you from diabetes or heart disease, it can harm your bone health. If you need to lose weight, it would be a good idea to protect your bones with exercise and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.