Tag: osteopenia

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OSTEOPOROSIS AND WAYS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR BONE HEALTH…

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Osteoporosis (brittle bones) is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more prone to fracture. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture). Menopause can also increase the chances of developing osteoporosis because decreased oestrogen levels can lead to bone loss.

The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are:

However, breaks can also happen in other bones, such as the arm or pelvis. Sometimes a cough or sneeze can cause a broken rib or the partial collapse of one of the spine’s bones.

Although a broken bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis, some older people develop the characteristic stooped (bent forward) posture. It happens when the bones in the spine have broken, making it difficult to support the body’s weight.

The stage before osteoporosis is called osteopenia. This is when a bone density scan shows you have lower bone density than the average for your age, but not low enough to be classed as osteoporosis. I was diagnosed with this two years ago but with the right treatment, you can still not develop osteoporosis.

I have been put on a calcium and vitamin D tablet which I take twice a day. A diet that’s low in calcium contributes to reduced bone density  (the amount of calcium and other minerals that are found in your bones), premature bone loss, and an increased risk of fracture.

Men do get osteoporosis but it is more common in women because women tend to have smaller, thinner bones than men, and may experience bone loss during menopause.

People who do not exercise regularly are also more at risk of developing osteoporosis than people who do regular exercise.

Several studies show that smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fracture as does drinking lots of alcohol.

People who are very thin (with a BMI of 19 or under) are more at risk of developing osteoporosis, as they usually have less bone mass to draw from.

Other factors can also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, including:

  • taking high-dose steroid tablets for more than 3 months
  • other medical conditions – such as inflammatory conditions, hormone-related conditions, or malabsorption problems
  • a family history of osteoporosis – particularly a hip fracture in a parent
  • long-term use of certain medicines that can affect bone strength or hormone levels, such as anti-oestrogen tablets that many women take after breast cancer
  • having or having had an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia

Some great ways to help improve your bone health include eating more vegetables, staying active, trying weight-bearing exercises, making sure you are getting plenty of Vitamin D by being out in the sunshine or taking supplements, eating calcium-rich foods, keeping your smoking or drinking to a minimum or not at all and maintain a healthy weight.

Source: NHS, Restless

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OSTEOPENIA AND BACK PAIN…

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Osteopenia is when your bones are weaker than normal and your bone density is lower than the average adult, but not so far gone that they break easily, which is the hallmark of osteoporosis. Your bones are usually at their densest when you’re about 30. Osteopenia, if it happens at all, usually occurs after age 50. The exact age depends on how strong your bones are when you’re young. If they’re hardy, you may never get osteopenia. If your bones aren’t naturally dense, you may get it earlier.

Losing bone density is a normal part of ageing. This happens at different rates in different people. In fact, many people have osteopenia in later life as their bones get older. It could also be due to genetics, medication taken for a different condition or having naturally smaller denser bones.

Osteopenia is considered a chronic condition, but it affects everyone differently. While some people with osteopenia may struggle to complete daily tasks without experiencing intense back pain or injuring a bone, other people don’t even realize they have this condition. 

UCF Health writes that “back pain is common in people who have osteopenia because the spine loses its bone density, which makes it more difficult to support the body. Without strong spine support, the body struggles to hold itself up to walk or to sit in an upright position.“

There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms that include: Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra. Loss of height over time.

Having osteopenia does increase your chances of developing osteoporosis which then increases the risk of fractures. Chronic low back pain patients have an increased incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

If your mother or grandmother suffered from osteoporosis (we all know someone who does), you can also start to see the signs of osteopenia between the ages of 30 and 40, when bone loss gradually starts.

Bone density is measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). DEXA is an imaging test that uses X-rays to determine whether you have healthy bones, osteopenia or osteoporosis. It provides a score called a T-score:

  • +1 to –1 indicates normal bone density.
  • –1 to –2.5 indicates osteopenia.
  • –2.5 or lower means osteoporosis.

DEXA gives healthcare providers a “baseline measurement.” That means they can compare the current test results to future results to determine whether bone density decreases over time.

There’s no cure for osteopenia, but it’s important to look after your bone density as much as possible. Treatment involves a simple approach to keep your bones as healthy and strong as possible and prevent it from turning into osteoporosis.

Source: UCF Health Cleveland Clinic Web MD

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WORLD OSTEOPOROSIS DAY OCTOBER 20th, 2020…

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World Osteoporosis Day takes place this year on October 20th, 2020. It marks a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. WOD aims to make osteoporosis and fracture prevention a global health priority by reaching out to health-care professionals, the media, policy makers, patients, and the public at large. The campaign will feature “THAT’S OSTEOPOROSIS” as a headline, highlighting emotionally impactful visuals and stories of real people living with osteoporosis in all regions of the world.

The campaign will emphasize the direct link between osteoporosis (the silent, underlying disease) and broken bones, which have a serious, life-changing impact in terms of pain, disabilityand lost independence. It will also focus on osteoporosis as a ‘family affair’, with family caregivers often carrying the burden of care, and the disease affecting multiple generations of the family.

What is Osteoporosis?

  • Osteoporosis is the underlying cause of painful, debilitating and life-threatening broken bones – known as fragility fractures.
  • Osteoporosis is a growing global problem: worldwide, fractures affect one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50.
  • Osteoporosis affects families – family members often bear the burden of care
  • If one of your parents had osteoporosis or hip fracture, this may increase your own risk of developing the disease. Take the IOF Osteoporosis Risk Check to identify your risk factors.
  • At risk? Be sure to request a bone health assessment – take early action for prevention!
  • Bone health concerns the entire family – ensure your family maintains a bone healthy lifestyle.
  • Advocate! Sign the IOF Global Patient Charterand join OAD in calling on healthcare providers to close the massive ‘care gap’ which leaves many patients unprotected against a cycle of disabling fractures.

As most of my readers will know I have recently been diagnosed with Osteopenia which the NHS explains is the stage before osteoporosis. This is when a bone density scan shows you have lower bone density than the average for your age, but not low enough to be classed as osteoporosis.

Osteopenia does not always lead to osteoporosis. It depends on many factors. If you have osteopenia, there are steps you can take to keep your bones healthy and reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis.

Your doctor may also prescribe one of the bone-strengthening treatments that are given to people with osteoporosis, depending on how weak your bones are and your risk of breaking a bone. I have been put on medication twice a day and told to do some core workouts.

I do wonder however that had my pain team not sent me for a bone scan whether in a few years time, mine could have turned into Osteoporosis so I have been very lucky that it has been spotted.

If you head to the World Osteoporosis Day website you can read the inspiring, real-life stories of people from around the world who have been affected by osteoporosis and fragility fractures. And do not forget there is also a link on the site for you to see if you are at risk from Osteoporosis.

Help raise awareness of Osteoporosis in any way you can, post onto your media sites so it can be spread around the world on the 20th October.