About Osteoporosis

Jeff Foster asked:


Osteoporosis occurs when there is a loss of density in the skeletal system leaving you more at risk for bone fractures.

An early symptom of osteoporosis often presents as bone fractures which do not match up to the described injury or ones which occur in the absence of any obvious injury.

Other patients may present with back pain which seems to have no clear explanation. Back pain must be taken seriously and should be investigated clearly before being written off, especially if osteoporosis ends up to be the diagnosis. It is a mistake you cannot afford.

Osteoporosis leads to the skeletal bones leaching calcium, collagen and even protein. With the loss of these minerals, the skeletal system bones become more porous, in extreme cases, often taking on the appearance of Swiss cheese. It is this depletion that can lead to severe back pain and fractures.

Osteoporosis symptoms can appear without warning. Think about the back pain that just won’t end. Many patients don’t even know that they have osteoporosis until they experience a break and then have an exam and x-ray. Sometimes the osteoporosis isn’t even diagnosed until after multiple fractures which puts you at risk for even higher morbidity. Multiple fractures or even fractures without obvious injury should be considered suspicious and require further investigation.

Spinal fractures can lead to severe back pain which radiates from the back and around to the sides. Many times compression fractures of the spine are quickly related to common osteoporosis symptoms. These fractures can also lead to a loss of height and in severe cases can cause the hunched back appearance many associate with osteoporosis. Many patients are initially diagnosed with osteoporosis during treatment for back pain.

Other patients may also be diagnosed with osteoporosis during a hospitalization for a hip fracture. Often hip fractures occur from even a very simple a slip and fall. When the hip fracture doesn’t match the extent of the fall which occurred then this absolutely must be investigated for a break secondary to osteoporosis. Hip fractures often heal very poorly due to the poor bone quality and the location of the fracture.

If you are experiencing symptoms of osteoporosis such as fractures without just cause or back pain that you simply cannot explain, then you must make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss the possibility of osteoporosis. This diagnosis is not one that you can ignore.

The morbidity of this condition can be so life altering that you may never again recognize your life if osteoporosis gets a solid grip.



Terri

Greg Marsh asked:


Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become weak and brittle. Although many individuals get this condition simply as they age, others will face it due to other situations including those like taking arthritis medications. Some medications that are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis interact with the calcium in your bones and can cause a weakening in the bones that is significant. If you are taking these medications, it is quite important that you talk to your doctor about your risk of developing osteoporosis.

What Medications Put You At Risk?

Corticosteroid medications are those that are most likely to cause you the development of osteoporosis. In order for this to happen, though, you will need to take the medication for a long period of time, regularly. Some of these medications include cortisone, prednisolone, prednisone, and dexamethasone. As you use them, they slowly cause the bone to become weaker and weaker. They can severely damage the bone if they are not carefully monitored, which most doctors will do.

Does that mean that you should stop taking the medications that are important for treating the rheumatoid arthritis pain you have? Absolutely never stop taking the medications that you are on without talking to your doctor about them first. In addition, you and your doctor should have a treatment plan available that will incorporate regularly monitoring your body’s bone density. In a simple test, your doctor will be able to determine if your bones are being affected by these medications and then can alter them as he or she sees fit. Some doctors will prescribe medications to help treat the osteoporosis and medications that can increase your bone density.

Treatments for osteoporosis and arthritis are important considerations for you and for your doctor. The doctor is not likely to be treating just one of these conditions and therefore should monitor your bone health throughout your care. But, you can and you should ask questions about what the medications you are taking for each of these will do to your body. You should know the risk factors and what they mean to you, personally. In addition, you should have an understanding of what is available to help avoid these risks to the fullest level.

Preventing osteoporosis is something that can be done. Not only will you want to talk to your doctor about these conditions, but you also should take into account the risks that are there. Prevention of osteoporosis should be one of the first things that you and your doctor talk about when you begin taking these types of medications. Prevention usually includes increasing the amount of calcium that your body takes in on a daily basis. You probably will need to increase this amount considerably.

There is no doubt that the medications you take for arthritis are important to your health and well being. They shouldn’t be stopped, in most cases. But, you should talk to your doctor about a prevention plan for osteoporosis, which can be prevented in most cases.



Edwin