Osteoporosis
Treatment and Symptoms
Symptoms
Osteoporosis is a ‘silent disease’ as bone loss occurs without symptoms. When the bone become weak, a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a hip fracture or a vertebra to collapse. Collapsed vertebra may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or spinal deformities such as kyphosis or severely stooped posture.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on risk factor evaluation and X-ray results. Certain laboratory tests may be done to rule out other problems. Bone density measurement may be required in certain cases. An abnormally low bone density suggests that the patient has osteoporosis. It is measured through painless, noninvasive scanning techniques. Serial bone density measurements are done to track bone loss over a period to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Treatment
Currently, there is no cure for osteoporosis. The treatment goals are to stop continued bone loss or slow it down as much as possible and to prevent bone fractures. Various treatment modalities are :
1. Moderate weight – bearing exercise.
2. More calcium-rich foods in diet.
3. Calcium supplements.
4. Vitamin D
5. Oestrogen hormone replacement.
Drugs for treating the disorder have been shown to preserve or increase bone density and maintain bone quality. However, if a patient stops taking one of these drugs, the bones will again begin to lose density and become thinner. It is important to remember that all drugs have the potential for adverse effects. Drugs for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis are :
1. Calcitonin : It is administered by nasal spray or by injections.
2. Biophosphonates : These decrease the rate at which bone tissue is re-absorbed, which has an indirect effect of decreasing the rate of bone formation.
3. Raloxifence : It is not a type of oestrogen but has been shown to act like oestrogen with respect to increasing bone density.
4. Hormones : Taking hormones (
oestrogen) has been shown to increase bone density and reduce the risk for fracture by 50-60 per cent in postmenopausal women.
