Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), deteriorating bone tissue, and an increased risk of bone fracture. It develops when new bone growth cannot keep up with old bone loss. People typically lose bone mass as they age when bone breakdown outpaces bone rebuilding.
Some key facts about osteoporosis:
- It affects mostly postmenopausal women due to loss of estrogen, but men also get it.
- More than 50% of women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
- Key risk factors include family history, hormone levels, body weight, diet, and certain medications.
Osteoporosis develops when bone
remodeling (breakdown and rebuilding) is thrown out of balance. Special cells called
osteoclasts dissolve old bone while cells called
osteoblasts build new bone. As we age, this balance tips toward more osteoclast activity and less osteoblast activity, causing bone loss to outpace bone growth.
People start losing bone mass around age 30-35. Accelerated bone loss around/after menopause in women also fuels osteoporosis due to
estrogen deficiency. Over the years, the small spaces inside bones grow larger and the hard outer shell thins to a point where it can become prone to fractures. Fragility
fractures are the primary complication of osteoporosis, often occurring in the hip, spine, and wrist.
Diagnosis involves a bone mineral density test to measure bone health and fracture risk.
BMD test results are reported as T-scores, comparing your numbers to a healthy young adult. The World Health Organization defines osteoporosis as a T-score of -2.5 or lower.
If diagnosed with osteoporosis, the X
YZHormones Hormone Clinic can help create a customized treatment plan involving lifestyle changes, medications, hormones and supplements. Our comprehensive
osteoporosis treatment programs aim to
increase bone density, reduce fracture risk, and improve quality of life. Call today for your evaluation. Many options exist to strengthen your bones - let's explore them together!