Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone tissue and bone structure. This leads to an increased risk of bone fractures, especially in the hip, spine and wrist.
Some key facts about osteoporosis:
- It is often called a "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People often don't know they have it until a sudden fracture occurs
- It is more common in women after menopause due to declining estrogen levels, but men can also develop osteoporosis
- Major risk factors include aging, family history, smoking, low calcium/vitamin D intake, and medications like corticosteroids
How does osteoporosis develop?
Our bones constantly rebuild themselves through a cycle called
bone remodeling. Specialized cells called
osteoclasts dissolve old bone while
osteoblasts build new bone.
In osteoporosis, the balance tips and more bone is dissolved than rebuilt. This makes bones less dense and more likely to
break. Risk increases over years and decades.
What are symptoms of osteoporosis?
There are often NO clear symptoms until a fracture occurs! A sudden
fracture of the hip, spine or wrist is what alerts many people to osteoporosis after significant bone loss already occurred.
This is why screening and prevention at younger ages is so important. Simple
DXA scan bone density tests can detect low bone density early on, before weak bones cause life-altering fractures.
If interested in bone health evaluation, consider contacting Renew Hormone Institute for outstanding preventative health services! Their compassionate doctors provide cutting-edge bone density scans, lab tests to uncover risk factors, and evidence-based treatment plans personalized to your needs.
They even offer specialized programs to
optimize nutrition and exercise for stronger bones at any age! Contact Renew Hormone Institute today to take charge of your bone health.