Osteoporosis is an ailment that gradually weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures. Although this can occur in either  sex, it is more common in women, especially after Menopause. This is because the hormonal changes that take place after menopause lead to weakening of bones, thereby causing osteoporosis. This increase the risk of fractures, especially of the hip, spine and forearms. In fact, over 40 percent of women who have undergone Menopause are at the risk of developing osteoporosis.

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to lower the your risk and prevent osteoporosis. This article answers some of the commonly asked questions on osteoporosis.

• Causes of osteoporosis
• Symptoms and effect of osteoporosis
• Detection of osteoporosis
• Bone Densitometry
• Care and guidance

Cause of osteoporosis

There exists a nature cycle in our bodies which cause a continuous degeneration of old bone cells with a simultaneous building of new ones. These processes are usually in balance, so that the amount of bone loss is about equal to the amount that is replaced.

Osteoporosis is caused when there is an imbalance due to which the degeneration outpaces the rebuilding.

Who is most susceptible to osteoporosis ?
Menopause is the single most important cause of osteoporosis, but you are also at risk at if you:

• Have a family history of osteoporosis
• Had menopause before you were 45 years old
• Are thin or small in stature
• Have used  steroid (commonly used to treat asthma and arthritis)
• Have used high dose of thyroid hormones
• Smoke
• Drink excessive alcohol
• Do not exercise enough
• Have calcium deficiency

How is menopause related to osteoporosis?
In women, the balance between bone building and bone loss is disturbed during menopause due to the hormonal changes occurring at this time. Where you are younger, your body produces hormones like estrogen to prepare you for pregnancy. During menopause, however, the level of estrogen product in your body being to drop. This drop leads to a faster breakdown of bone tissue and the tissue being replaced can not keep pace with it. In fact, during the five years after menopause, some women, may lose as much as 25 % of their bone density. In many women, this bone loss is severe enough to make bones weak and fragile This causes osteoporosis.

A surgical menopause, which occur in women who have undergone a surgical removal of ovaries, leads to similar hormonal changes and thereby increase risk of osteoporosis.

Symptoms of osteoporosis

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
The early stages of osteoporosis are relatively painless and symptom free. In fact, many women who have undergone Menopause do not even realize it when this ailment begins to set in.

But once the symptoms of osteoporosis begin to surface, these could include.

• Pain in the back
• Loss in height
• A curving spin
• A broken bone or a history of broken bones.

Detection of osteoporosis

How is osteoporosis detected?
An X-Ray for some other medical reason could reveal osteoporosis, although X-Rays only reveal signs of osteoporosis when bone loss is quite advanced.

Osteoporosis can be detected at an early stage with a routine ‘Bone Density Test’, also called Bone Densitometry.

This may be recommended as a routine test.
Get BMD done as screening test.

• Are you above 40 years of age
• Have undergone Menopause
• Have back pain, height loss or a bone that fracture easily.

Bone densitometry
What is bone densitometry and what is its value?

Bone densitometry is the most accurate and sensitive method of measuring loss of bone of tissue to detect osteoporosis at an early stage. In addition, periodic repetition of this test can also track the rate of bone loss.

How is Bone Densitometry Performed?
Bone densitometry is performed with an instrument called a bone densitometer. This machine is based on a technology called DEXA which is very accurate, fast, easy to performed and painless.

Care and Guidance

• Calcium plays an important role in maintaining the health of your bone smoke sure you get your daily dose of calcium through a minimum of three cups of milk or equivalent in cheese and curd. You could also take a dose of calcium tablet (1000-1500 mg/day)
• Regular brisk walking, running, and low impact aerobics can help increase the strength of your long bones.

To received the latest information on osteoporosis and bone density testing for yourself, a friend or a family member or if you have osteopeonia or osteoporosis do go for  regular visit following your doctor.