Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle enough that they become susceptible to fractures. This condition often progresses without detection until you experience a break.
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle enough that they become susceptible to fractures. This condition often progresses without detection until you experience a break.
INTEGRIS Health strives to alleviate pain, improve joint function and enhance the overall quality of life for individuals living with osteoporosis.
“Your bones matter,” says Myrto Eliades, M.D., a board-certified endocrinologist with INTEGRIS Health Endocrinology. “Keep them strong.”
Common Symptoms
Often referred to as a silent disease, there are usually no obvious symptoms of osteoporosis. In recognition of Osteoporosis Awareness Month, INTEGRIS Health highlights the signs to look out for, such as:
As we get older, our risk of developing osteoporosis increases. Bone mass peaks between ages 25 and 30. After it peaks, bone loss is likely to increase slightly at first and then become more extreme with age. The risk of osteoporosis increases dramatically after age 50.
Other factors like ethnicity, gender, family history and body frame size can also increase the risk. Women are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. After menopause, women begin making less estrogen, which is an important hormone for the bone rebuilding process. The bone loss rate increases during and after menopause for several years. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and certain medications can also accelerate bone loss.
Preventing Osteoporosis
The good news is that a combination of diet and exercise can help prevent bone loss and rebuild lost bone mass. A healthy, balanced diet full of adequate vitamin D and calcium is key, especially for women. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recommends a daily amount of 1,200 mg of calcium in women after 50 and 1,000 mg in men after 50. For vitamin D, the recommended intake is at least 600 international units (IU) in both men and women after age 50 which increases to 800 IU after age 70.
Weight-bearing exercises are also vital for osteoporosis prevention and bone rebuilding. "Weight-bearing" means moving against gravity while remaining upright and having your feet and legs support your body weight. It's advised not to do high-impact weight-bearing exercises if you have a broken bone, are at risk of breaking a bone or falling easily.
By empowering patients through education and fostering a collaborative relationship, INTEGRIS Health aims to help individuals effectively manage their condition and achieve optimal outcomes in their osteoporosis journey.
