Osteoporosis is a bone disease where bone density and strength is reduced over time, making bones brittle and prone to fractures. It usually develops slowly over decades without any symptoms until a fracture occurs.
Osteoporosis affects roughly 10 million Americans. About 80% of cases occur in women due to hormonal changes from menopause. Other risk factors include:
The disease progresses silently until you have a broken bone from minimal trauma - this is called a fragility fracture. Common fractures are in the wrist, hip, and spine. These often require surgery and can disable or even kill older adults.
To diagnose osteoporosis, the key test is a DXA scan to measure your bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD indicates weaker bones. Some blood and urine tests may also check for contributing factors.
Prevention starts early with proper nutrition and exercise to build strong bones - aim for 1000-1500mg calcium and 800-1000IU vitamin D per day from dairy, greens, and possibly supplements. Weight-bearing exercise stimulates bone growth too.
Later in life, medications can help maintain bone density and reduce fracture risk. Common osteoporosis drugs are bisphosphonates like alendronate (Fosamax) and denosumab (Prolia). These may have side effects, so discuss options with your doctor at Harmony MD.
While osteoporosis cannot be cured, early diagnosis and sticking to your doctor's treatment plan can help minimize bone loss, allowing you to remain active while reducing painful fractures. Small lifestyle tweaks like proper footwear, fall-proofing your home, and avoiding trips/falls can make a big difference too!