What Is Osteoporosis? How Does It Affect Women & Is It Treatable?

Osteoporosis is the disease of bone where the density of the bone is reduced making our skeletal system weaker significantly increasing the risk of fracture. The bones of the patient with osteoporosis become fragile and porous over time, lose mass, structure and are more likely to break even for minor bumps and falls. Hip, spine, and wrist are the most common sites of fractures caused by Osteoporosis. Though it is a normal condition that gradually occurs in people above age 50, Osteoporosis can also affect the younger generation (kids include).

What causes Osteoporosis?

Bones provide the framework for our body, protect the vital organs, generates blood cells and play a crucial role in our movement of the body. And unlike general perception, the bone is not an entirely thick and solid structure, only the outer layer called compact bone is strong and sturdy and internal bone is a spongy structure with tiny holes.

Our bones are under a constant process of renewal i.e. the bone cells called osteoclasts break down the bone whereas other bone cells called osteoblasts build the new bone. This bone breakdown and generation is a constant process that happens rapidly until your 20s, slows down and stays constant in your 30s. But as people age, bone generation stops and bone breakdown stays constant. And the post-50s, bone loss happens at an increased rate making them fragile and porous causing osteoporosis.

Why do women suffer a greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men?

On average, one in every two women over age 50 develop osteoporosis, according to Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Niraj Vora. Women around the world suffer a greater risk of developing osteoporosis than men primarily due to two reasons

• The anatomy of women makes them develop smaller and thinner bines as compared to men.
• Estrogen that protects the bones, depletes after age 50 in women further intensifying their bone loss.

However, Osteoporosis not only affects older men and women but also can cause serious damage when kids and young teens develop this abnormal condition. Juvenile Osteoporosis as it is called can mostly develop in children between ages 8 and 14, and sometimes even in younger kids. There are two types of Osteoporosis possible in children

Type 1 or Primary Juvenile Osteoporosis: Called Idiopathic Osteoporosis by orthopaedic surgeons, the reasons for this type of Osteoporosis are not known. Even though the child recovers from this condition, his bone mass doesn’t sufficiently develops into adulthood. This type of condition is less common.

Type 2 or Secondary Juvenile Osteoporosis: Most of the time this type of Osteoporosis is the direct result of other medical conditions, likes rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, leukaemia, celiac or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or malabsorption syndromes, etc.

Is Osteoporosis treatable?

Treatment for aging-related Osteoporosis is based on the severity of the diseases and risk of bone-breaking calculated using bone density scan. According to Orthopaedic and Hip replacement Surgeon, Dr. Niraj Vora, earlier the condition is identified better the chance of treatment for the older adults when it comes to Osteoporosis. Check out this video where Dr. Niraj Vora explains the treatment scenario for Osteoporosis

As for the Juvenile Osteoporosis, a treatment plan is tailored based on the causes of the Osteoporosis. If the cause of this condition is the diseases, the treatment for the disease is carried out and change is the lifestyle with specific dietary choices is recommended.

As one of the most successful orthopaedic surgeons in Mumbai, Dr. Niraj Vora has successfully treated hundreds of patients with Osteoporosis both adults and children. In case you need for info or want to consult an expert in Osteoporosis treatment in Mumbai.