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My mother suffered two complex fractures. The reason is osteoporosis. Can I suffer the same fate?

Today, a new class of drugs has appeared that restore even bones destroyed by osteoporosis. What should you do at 40 so that you don't break bones when you fall at 60? At 70 - when picking up the bag. And at 80 - when sneezing and bending over?

By ROBINSON JAMES HERBERTPublished 3 years ago 6 min read
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My mother suffered two complex fractures. The reason is osteoporosis. Can I suffer the same fate?
Photo by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz on Unsplash

Yes, it will. And it's good that you thought about it in time. Today in the arsenal of doctors there are accurate methods for diagnosing osteoporosis. There are also effective methods for both prevention and treatment of this disease at different stages. New, more and more perfect drugs appear. With their help, you can slow down the process of bone destruction. And even to restore what previously seemed to be an irreversible process.

So, osteoporosis can still be transmitted from the older generation to the younger?

Hereditary predisposition is a significant risk factor. But here we are not talking about the transfer of a single "gene of osteoporosis." Rather, it is a sum of factors. Among which the indicator of the so-called peak bone mass is especially important.

It is known that all people reach the highest bone strength by the age of 25–30. This condition is called "peak bone mass". And the height of that peak strength is largely due to genetics. If there are fractures in the family, then most likely the peak bone mass is not so high. Therefore, the presence of fractures in the next of kin, especially the femoral neck, should be alarming. And serve as a reason for examination at a younger age.

For example, if, on average, the first signs of osteoporosis appear in a woman several years after the onset of menopause, then it is worth puzzling at about 40-45 years old. Moreover, if you have a "fragile" physique, if you have given birth and breastfed several children.

Few know that low weight is also a risk factor for bones. This parameter can be due to genetics, or it can be acquired during life. For example, if a woman has been on strict diets for a long time, she has been malnourished for years.

Is it always necessary to undergo examination for osteoporosis in a polyclinic? Or can the primary diagnosis be done without a doctor?

There are a number of methods available to assess the risk and presence of osteoporosis.

In particular, a special calculator FRAX is used to assess the risk of fractures in the next 10 years.

This questionnaire includes different risk factors - age, gender, weight, heredity, lifestyle, and the presence of bad habits. And also the presence of diseases that can affect the state of bone tissue. By checking all the relevant items for you, you will receive your personal forecast.

If the calculator shows that the risk of fractures is high, the person needs to be prescribed treatment right away. If the risk is moderate, bone mineral density should be assessed. And for this - to undergo a special X-ray examination - densitometry. It is able to detect bone changes even in the early stages.

With a low risk of fractures, a person does not need any diagnosis or treatment. At the moment, his bones are in order. But since the situation can change with age, it is worthwhile to think about the prevention of the disease in time.

Is it possible to replace X-ray densitometry with blood tests for osteoporosis? It seems that now there are such tests.

It is impossible to diagnose osteoporosis based on blood tests alone. Laboratory indicators are used to assess calcium-phosphorus metabolism. And also to clarify what the abnormalities in the skeletal system are associated with. These indicators include a number of biochemical parameters - these are calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine.

One of the most important studies is determining the level of vitamin D in the blood. If the analysis reveals its deficiency, the person needs treatment.

There are also hormones that significantly affect bone health. These are, first of all, parathyroid hormone and thyroid hormones. Sometimes it makes sense to check them as well.

Finally, markers of bone turnover are important for assessing bone health. Some of them reflect the rate at which cells that destroy bone work. And others - the work of the cells that form the bone. These parameters can be used to judge the effectiveness of the treatment of osteoporosis. Therefore, they are often studied in dynamics.

If the examination shows that there is osteoporosis, is it a diagnosis for life? Is it impossible to build bone mass again?

Fortunately, everything is not so sad. On the one hand, if this disease has already developed, then you will have to reckon with it all your life. On the other hand, the drugs existing today are able to restore even severely damaged bones. Return the quality of life, activity, efficiency to a person.

Each of these drugs has a different mechanism of action. Some accelerate the formation of new bone tissue. They increase its quantity and seriously improve the quality. Other drugs slow the breakdown of existing bone tissue. Increase its mineral density due to the deposition of calcium in the bones.

As a result, the risk of fractures is reduced by as much as 60 to 80 percent.

There are really a lot of drugs, but which one to start treatment with? Maybe with female hormones that also support bone density?

Female sex hormones are effective primarily for the prevention of osteoporosis. They are usually prescribed to women in the first years after menopause. And the decision about this is made by a gynecologist.

If we are talking about medicinal drugs, then today doctors make their choice based on certain algorithms. In each case, these appointments will be individual.

So, for one woman, drugs that mainly suppress bone destruction are more suitable. These include the so-called bisphosphonates and a relatively new agent from the group of monoclonal antibodies.

Another woman will need anabolic drugs to stimulate new bone formation.

The route of administration and dosage of drugs in this case depend on the risk of further fractures.

If the risk is moderate, you can limit yourself to taking bisphosphonates in tablets. If it is high, it is worth starting treatment with more powerful drugs. These are intravenous bisphosphonates, a monoclonal antibody drug, anabolic drugs.

Probably, such treatment should last a very long time, or even lifelong?

Not at all. Today it is known that first-line osteoporosis drugs accumulate in the bone tissue and then are removed from it for an extremely long time, over many years. It is this feature that makes it possible, after a long course of treatment, to switch to the so-called "medicinal holidays".

However, during this time, the patient must still be seen by a doctor. Should regularly take calcium and vitamin D, engage in physiotherapy exercises.

But isn't physical activity prohibited in osteoporosis? After all, they can break fragile bones from them.

In osteoporosis, physical activity is contraindicated in general, but only intense. Jumping, jerking, and bending forward can break a fragile bone. They must be avoided. If the disease is severe, it is also impossible to lift weights, otherwise you can break the vertebra. Allowable weight - 3 kg.

But physiotherapy exercises for osteoporosis, on the contrary, are useful. Specially selected exercises strengthen the bone by increasing its mineral density. They also increase muscle mass, which is important for preventing falls.

Scandinavian walking is very useful for osteoporosis. It is becoming more and more popular now. Dancing is also extremely useful. They improve coordination of movements, strengthen muscles and bones.

Probably, with already developed osteoporosis, talking about a diet is useless, it still won't help?

This opinion is wrong. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D will always be beneficial, at any stage of the disease. Even if you are taking the best and most modern medicines.

The main sources of calcium are dairy and fermented milk products. Fish - first of all, dried or in the form of canned food. Nuts, especially sesame seeds, as well as dried fruits and herbs.

Vitamin D is also found in naturally grown fish and seafood. True, it is still difficult to get it in full with food. Therefore, from October to April-May, it is worth using vitamin D in preparations - in drops or in tablets. The dosage of these funds depends on age, the purpose of admission - treatment or prevention, as well as the general condition of the body.

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About the Creator

ROBINSON JAMES HERBERT

I'm a worshiper of creativity and knowledge. I'm a researcher of many sectors. I like to write my own view on various subjects, and also like to write about techniques and tips. Follow me to get amazing information and tips.

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