Osteoporosis - Vibrant Life Center

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle, making them more likely to break. It develops when bone tissue and bone minerals are lost faster than the body can replace them.

Over time, osteoporosis can lead to a condition called osteopenia, which is low bone mass that is not as severe as osteoporosis yet still puts people at higher risk for fractures. Fractures most often occur in the hip, wrist, and spine when people with osteoporosis fall, even from standing height.

What causes osteoporosis?

There are a few key risk factors that contribute to the development of osteoporosis:

• Age - Bone density peaks around age 30 then naturally declines. In your 40s and 50s, bone loss accelerates in women as estrogen levels drop during menopause.
• Sex - Women have a much higher risk due to menopause.
• Genetics - Osteoporosis tends to run in families.
• Low calcium intake - Not getting enough calcium can lead to weaker bones over time.
• Inactive lifestyle - Weight-bearing exercise helps stimulate bone-building.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Doctors use a few methods to test for osteoporosis:

• Bone mineral density (BMD) test - Measures bone loss using X-ray images. This can diagnose osteoporosis even before a fracture occurs.
• Blood and urine tests - To help uncover underlying causes like nutritional deficiencies or hormone imbalances.

What are the treatment options?

• Medications - Bisphosphonates to slow bone loss, hormone therapy, etc.
• Nutritional supplements - Calcium, vitamin D, magnesium.
• Lifestyle changes - Quit smoking, reduce alcohol, weight-bearing exercise.

While there is no cure, the good news about osteoporosis is that there are many effective treatment options available today to slow or stop bone loss, especially when caught early. Maintaining a balanced diet with key bone-supporting nutrients and doing regular strength training exercises are vital protective strategies.

The bottom line is osteoporosis does not have to be an inevitable part of aging. Being proactive about bone health will go a long way toward preventing painful fractures later in life. Contact Vibrant Life Center for more information.