Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.

Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Viewed under a microscope, healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. If you’re 50 or older and have broken a bone, ask your doctor or healthcare provider about a bone density test.

Osteoporosis causes
A few key causes lead to most cases of osteoporosis.

Age
The biggest cause of osteoporosis is age. Throughout your life, your body breaks down old bone and grows new bone. However, when you’re in your 30s, your body starts breaking down bone faster than it’s able to replace it. This leads to bone that’s less dense and more fragile, and thus more prone to breakage.

Menopause
Another primary cause of osteoporosis is menopause, which occurs in women around the ages of 45 to 55 years. Due to the change in hormone levels associated with it, menopause can cause a woman’s body to lose bone even more quickly.

Men continue to lose bone at this age, but at a slower rate than women do. However, by the time they reach the ages of 65 to 70, women and men are usually losing bone at the same rate.

Medical conditions or medications
Other causes of osteoporosis include certain medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism. They also include the use of certain medications. Examples of these medications include long-term oral or injected corticosteroids such as prednisone or cortisone.

Age, menopause, certain health conditions, and the use of certain medications may be the primary causes of osteoporosis, but they’re not the only ones. Read more about these and other causes of osteoporosis, as well as the role of vitamin D in bone health.

Osteoporosis risk factors
The biggest risk factors for osteoporosis include:

being female
being an older adult
being Caucasian or Asian
having a family history of osteoporosis
poor nutrition
physical inactivity
smoking
taking certain medications
low body weight
small-boned frame
You can control some of these risk factors for osteoporosis, such as poor nutrition and inactivity. For instance, improving your diet and starting an exercise program can benefit your bone health. However, you can’t control other risk factors, such as your age or gender. Learn more about all of these risk factors, and ways to lower your risk of osteoporosis.

Senile osteoporosis
You may have heard of senile osteoporosis. This isn’t a separate type of this disease — it’s simply osteoporosis that’s caused by aging. As mentioned above, age is a primary cause of osteoporosis. Unless proper prevention or treatment efforts are made, your body’s increasing breakdown of bone can lead to weakened bones and osteoporosis.

According to global statistics from the International Osteoporosis Foundation, about one-tenth of women aged 60 have osteoporosis, while two-fifths of women aged 80 have the disease.

Bone density test for diagnosis
To check for osteoporosis, your doctor will review your medical history and do a physical exam. They may also run tests of your blood and urine to check for conditions that may cause bone loss. If your doctor thinks you may have osteoporosis or that you’re at risk of developing it, they’ll likely suggest a bone density test.

This test is called bone densitometry, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). It uses X-rays to measure the density of the bones in your wrists, hips, or spine. These are the three areas most at risk of osteoporosis.

This painless test can take from 10 to 30 minutes. Learn what to expect during a bone density test and how to prepare for it.

Osteoporosis treatment
If your testing shows that you have osteoporosis, your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications as well as lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes can include increasing your intake of calcium and vitamin D, as well as getting appropriate exercise.

There’s no cure for osteoporosis, but proper treatment can help protect and strengthen your bones. These treatments can help slow the breakdown of bone in your body, and some treatments can spur the growth of new bone. Find out more about how treatment can help support the health of your bones.

Osteoporosis medications
The most common drugs used to treat osteoporosis are called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are used to prevent the loss of bone mass. They may be taken orally or by injection. They include:

alendronate (Fosamax)
ibandronate (Boniva)
zoledronic acid (Reclast)
Other medications may be used to prevent bone loss or stimulate bone growth. They include:

Testosterone: In men, testosterone therapy may help increase bone density.
Hormone therapy: For women, estrogen used during and after menopause can help stop bone density loss. Unfortunately, estrogen therapy has also been associated with increased risk of blood clots, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
Raloxifene (Evista): This medication has been found to provide the benefits of estrogen without many of the risks, although there is still an increased risk of blood clots.
Denosumab (Xgeva or Prolia): This drug is taken by injection and may prove even more promising than bisphosphonates at reducing bone loss.
Teriparatide (Forteo): This drug is also taken by injection and stimulates bone growth.
Calcitonin salmon (Fortical and Miacalcin) This drug is taken as a nasal spray and reduces bone reabsorption. Talk to your doctor about any increased risk of cancer with this drug.
Prescription medication is the most aggressive way to treat osteoporosis. Learn about other medications used to treat osteoporosis, as well as possible side effects.

Osteoporosis natural treatments
Because osteoporosis medications can have side effects, you may prefer to try other treatments instead of medication.

Several supplements, such as red clover, soy, and black cohosh, may be used to help promote bone health and ease the symptoms of osteoporosis. However, before using these supplements, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This is for two main reasons:

There are few, if any, studies supporting the use of these supplements for treating osteoporosis. As a result, we don’t have proof that they work.
These supplements can cause side effects, as well as interact with medications you’re taking. You’ll want to make sure you know what side effects could occur, and if you’re taking any medications that could interact with the supplement.
All of that said, some people report good results with natural treatments. Learn more about the natural treatment options available, as well as the risks associated with them.