The simple and plain meaning of osteoporosis is “porus bones”. It is a disease described by low bone density or mass (reduced amount of bone tissue) and fragile bones (weakened bone structure) leading to increased susceptibility to fractures, particularly of the hip, spine, and wrist.

Yes! Osteoporosis is a critical health problem because of the worse effect in the bone most especially the hip area fractures. These conditions are commonly among elderly people can be disabling and can cause enormous medical, economic and social burdens.

Osteoporotic fractures affect 50% of women and 30% of men over the age of 50 years.

The elderly people are most likely to die 2 to 5 folds effects during the first year following a hip fracture compared with people of the same age and sex without hip fractures. Common complication brought about by other diseases like pneumonia or blood clots in the lungs are usually the deaths of the patients. Statistics and reports proves that more than half of the survivors were not able to walk anymore or will regain only partial mobility. More so 1/4 of the surviving patients need long long-term nursing intervention in the nursing home care or even at their own homes.

Fractures of the spinal bones (vertebrae) can cause deformity (stooped posture also called kyphosis or dowager’s hump) with loss of height, reduced lung capacity and chronic pain.

Overall, the qualities of people’s lives are greatly impaired because of osteoporosis.

We are so unfortunate that osteoporosis a quiet and silent killer disease. It does not show any signs or symptoms in the early stage of the disease. It is a still quiet killer disease as you may notice completely unaware of the loss of the bones unless until a fracture occurs

There are some people who are more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to others because of the two kinds of factors:

• Modifiable Factor (those factors that can be changed)

• Non-modifiable (those factors that are permanent)

1. Females

Women are 8 times more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to men. This is because women have 10-25% less bone mass. Most women tend to lose bone mass in a sudden after reaching the menopausal age. They lack the required hormones that used to maintain the bone mass of the body at this stage. Osteoporosis is also affecting men in general however the percentage is much lesser compared to that of the women.

2. Advanced Age

There is a greater likelihood of developing osteoporosis as one gets older. About 15% of women in their 50s will have osteoporosis compared to about 50% of women in their 80s. Old age is another non-modifiable factor because their soaring increment of bone loss brought about the weak absorption of calcium of our body as we grow older.

3. Family history of osteoporosis

A history of osteoporosis in the family, particularly those in the first degree, puts a person at increased risk of developing the disease.

4. Asians and Caucasians

Asians and Caucasians are more likely to develop osteoporosis more than those with African ancestry. This is attributed to the fact that Africans have 10-15% more bone mass than Asian and Caucasians. According to researches, the race with high risk of losing bone mass are the Hispanics, followed by the Africans but the risk is lesser with the Asians and Caucasians.

5. Small-boned or petite frame

A small bone frame puts a man or woman at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

6. Certain Medications

Some medications have been shown to cause bone loss and increase the risk of osteoporosis.

EXAMPLES: Long-term use of Corticosteroids, Anti-convulsants (drugs such as: phenytoin, barbiturates, valproate, aluminum-containing antacids if excessive use, etc.)

7. Certain Diseases

EXAMPLES: Hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, chronic diseases (like, chronic kidney disease, lungs diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, liver diseases), etc.

1. Low hormone levels

The hormone which is called “Estrogen” is the women’s protector against bone loss. Early menopause (before age 45) occurring naturally or by surgical removal of both ovaries, increases a woman’s risk of osteoporosis. One of the common indicators if low estrogen levels among women is Amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is the abnormal absence of menstruation in women of childbearing age. Anorexia or the excessive exercise can also result Amenorrhea. The bone loss among men is brought about by the low testosterone levels.

2. Dietary Factors

• Inadequate Calcium and Vitamin D intake 98% of the body’s calcium is found in the bones. The main duty of Calcium in our body is to build and maintain healthy strong bones that are essentials throughout human life. The severe low calcium intake in the human body increases the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D on the other hand helps calcium absorption and if taken inadequate it will increase the risk of osteoporosis.
• There are some nutrients containing foods that should be taken moderately. Excessive consumption of protein and sodium (commonly called table salt) increases calcium loss through the kidneys. The phytic and oxalic acid (example: wheat bran, spinach) when consumed excessively reduces calcium absorption.

3. Smoking

Women who smoke have lower estrogen levels and have earlier menopause. Smoking can definitely reduce calcium absorption of the body.

4. Alcohol Intake

Regular consumption of 2 to 3 ounces of alcohol everyday increases the risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol is also another major modifiable factor of osteoporosis because it interfere the body system in the absorption and use of calcium and vitamin D.

5. Inadequate exercise

People with sedentary lifestyle, are bedridden or otherwise immobilized for a long period, are at high risk of developing osteoporosis.

Yes! We are fortunately that osteoporosis can be prevented and treated. Unfortunately, osteoporosis is not curable. Always remember that prevention is the best option for any kinds of diseases. The maximum bone density of the bone mass must be achieved to it peak before reaching the age of 30. This is the best way of preventing osteoporosis. The strength of your bone when you grow older depends on the peak bone mass that you achieved when you were still young as early as childhood.

Bones are not lifeless which is contrary to popular belief. They are the strength of our bodies that are actually living and growing tissue. The bone is like a bank account where you deposit all the nutrients during bone formation and “withdraw” by using the bone tissues during bone re-sorption. During childhood, adolescence and early adulthood, bone tissue is deposited faster than it it’s withdrawn. However because of hormonal reason, there is an accelerated bone loss around menopause and more rapidly in few years after menopause and still persists throughout the postmenopausal period. Osteoporosis is also experienced by men around age of 50 where usually bone loss starts but it is lesser compare to that in women. The risk of osteoporosis fracture in later life is more likely be reduced if a higher peak bone mass has been achieved during adolescence and early adulthood.

The most effective preventive measure on osteoporosis is the preparation of having strong bone mass when we are still young as adolescent until before age 30 (peak bone mass). Then to continuous be protected, we must live a healthy lifestyle throughout your life.

1. You have to make sure eating the healthy and balanced diet most especially foods and drinks that are rich calcium and vitamin D.
2. You have to make sure to exercise daily or a regularly weekly program especially routine on weight exercises.
3. Do not smoke.
4. You have to make sure to avoid or limit any alcoholic drinks or foods.

Adequate calcium intake throughout your life is important to achieve peak bone mass and to maintain your bone health. Prevention of osteoporosis was taken into consideration is setting the latest US & Canadian Recommended Dietary Allowance of RDA (now called the Dietary Reference Intake or DRI) for calcium:

Good food sources of calcium include: dairy products such as milk, cheese yogurt and ice cream, canned sardines and salmon, tofu, broccoli, soybeans as well as calcium fortified foods. It is also recommended that you increase your intake of High-calcium milk and juices: