What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disorder that affects the entire skeleton, resulting from the decrease in the hardness of the bones in the body and their deterioration in quality, making them more fragile and weak. Today, due to the increase in the life expectancy of people and the increase in the number of elderly people, it is one of the most common disorders. As a result of the research, it has been revealed that 1 in 5 men and 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 experience a bone fracture problem at some point in their lives. In osteoporosis, which occurs with the bone turning into a porous tissue and the bone melting, the bones become less dense and less resistant and the protein network deteriorates. The disorder, which occurs due to the decrease in bone lamellae, increases during menopause.

Why is osteoporosis important?

• It is considered the most common bone disease today.
• It has been determined that osteoporosis and related fractures have increased due to the increase in life expectancy.
• It is among the important economic and social problems of our age.
• Osteoporosis is a disease that can be prevented and treated.
• Most patients who have osteoporosis or low bone density are unaware of it.
• Many hip, vertebra, wrist and other body parts fractures occur each year due to osteoporosis.
• Approximately 20% of those who suffer a hip fracture die within 1 year, and 30% become disabled.

How does osteoporosis affect men and women?

Although this condition is generally seen as a health problem affecting women, it is known that men are also affected by it. The biggest risk factor for osteoporosis is aging. Due to the developing technology in our age, diseases can be prevented and treated. This is an element that extends people’s life expectancy. However, like other diseases that increase with aging, osteoporosis is also at the top of the health problems. The rate of death due to this condition is 3rd after cancer and heart diseases. Therefore, the necessary precautions should be taken to protect against osteoporosis. It is recommended that women and men have a bone density measurement at the age of 45-50. People with risk factors for osteoporosis or those who have experienced bone fractures should undergo screening.

At what age does bone loss due to osteoporosis begin and which organs does it affect?

Bones, which are living tissues, carry out the activities of destruction and construction within themselves. While this process continues regularly in individuals until the age of 30, the destruction increases with the balance established after this age. With the age of 30, bone density in women irreversibly decreases by 0.5% per year. This situation accelerates with menopause and bone tissue is lost. This causes bone fractures in the later period. Osteoporosis affects the vertebrae that carry the most load in the body. According to the data obtained, osteoporosis affects the vertebrae at a rate of 47%, the hips at a rate of 20%, the wrists at a rate of 13%, and other areas at a rate of 20%. Since collapse fractures occur when it affects the vertebrae, shortening of the height is inevitable with advanced age. Apart from this, fatal fractures can occur in the hips and other bones.

What are the risk factors for osteoporosis?

There are many risk factors for this condition. Some of these are unchangeable factors such as race, age, and genetics, while others are changeable factors such as sedentary lifestyle, diet, and smoking habits. It is extremely important for individuals to take in enough calcium during their growth and development period in order to maintain bone density in the future. Inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals, excessive consumption of substances such as sodium, potassium, caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes are considered to be risks for osteoporosis. Regular exercise is a factor that increases bone density. In general, the risk factors are as follows;

• Small-boned women,
• Fair skinned people,
• Having a family history of osteoporosis,
• Diabetes disease,
• Kidney disease, liver problems and thyroid gland disorders,
• Use of antacids, cortisone, epilepsy drugs and diuretics,
• Having smoking habits and alcohol consumption,
• Less exposure to sunlight.

What are the diagnostic methods for osteoporosis?

The diagnosis of this disorder is made by measuring bone mineral density. People are classified into 3 different categories according to their bone mineral density. These are; normal, low bone mass, i.e. osteopenia, and osteoporosis. A person’s low bone mineral density is a factor that increases the risk of fractures.

What are the ways to protect against osteoporosis?

In order to protect against this disease in later ages, precautions should be taken that start in childhood and continue throughout life. In order to protect against this; it is necessary to take enough calcium, do regular exercise, provide estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men. Ensuring strong bones in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood is necessary to protect against the development of osteoporosis in old age. Regular physical activity is one of the biggest factors that increase the strength of bones.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

• People experience chronic back pain.
• When it affects the vertebrae, shortening of height occurs.
• Experiencing leg cramps, especially in the evenings,
• Increase in tooth loss and gum problems.

How is postmenopausal osteoporosis treated?

• Although not used to treat osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy provides a protective effect against osteoporosis while eliminating menopause symptoms.
• Taking calcium and calcitonin hormone,
• Use of bisphosphonate derivative drugs,
• Taking 1500 mg Ca and 400 IU vitamin D daily,
• Taking long walks,
• Implementing a healthy diet program,
• Quitting smoking habits,
• Doing exercises regularly.