December 18, 2024

Osteoporosis is a disease that results in weaker and brittle bones and remains undiagnosed until one breaks a bone. This occurs when bone mineral density declines, making it impossible for bones to grow again, which means that new bone creation cannot keep up with old bone removal. Fractures are more likely to occur in those with weak bones. Elderly people are frequently affected by this ailment, which lowers the density and quality of their typically strong bones. The signs and symptoms of the various forms of osteoporosis are not very noticeable. 

Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones. Calcium is the key nutrient for healthy and strong bones, and Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium. Thus, these two are important for maintaining proper bone health. Other than this kind of deficiency, hormones play a major role in keeping up bone health. Estrogen production is linked to the activity and promotion of cells and osteoblasts, all of which make bones. That’s why, in most women, post-menopause, the risk of osteoporosis rises. Additionally, genetic factors could also reason and increase the risk of osteoporosis. A lifestyle of indulgence in alcohol and smoking are other factors that could contribute to osteoporosis. This blog will explore the condition of osteoporosis in detail, including the classifications of osteoporosis, so that you can learn the importance of  protecting your bones and keeping them healthy. 

Understanding the Types of Osteoporosis

To delve deeper into the condition of osteoporosis, we must first understand the different ways in which it manifests or the classifications of osteoporosis. Most often when one is affected by osteoporosis, it causes a breakage in any bone, this could be the bones of the hips, spine or the wrists. For an elderly person, it is vital to check for their bone density at regular intervals. 

The following are the two main types of osteoporosis: 

1. Primary Osteoporosis: 
2. Post-menopausal Osteoporosis (Type 1):

In the primary types of osteoporosis category, there can be osteoporosis that generates due to two factors. Firstly, it occurs due to old age when the bones weaken as the individual lacks proper nutrition like calcium and vitamin D. This classification of osteoporosis is also known as senile osteoporosis and can happen to any gender. As people grow older they also tend to get more inactive. This lack of physical activity can also lead to weak bones. 

1. Age-Related Osteoporosis (Type 2):

Secondly, in the primary types of osteoporosis category, women who are post the menopausal age are vulnerable to developing osteoporosis due to the decrease in estrogen level. Estrogen helps in reabsorption and increases the strength of the existing bones. With estrogen drop, this stops happening and leads to osteoporosis.

2. Secondary Osteoporosis:

In the category of secondary types of osteoporosis falls all of those factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis, such as certain kinds of medical conditions or even the effect of specific medications. Gastrointestinal disorders, which cause malabsorption of nutrients, can cause osteoporosis. Autoimmune disorders like lupus and psoriatic arthritis and endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, PCOS, etc, can also cause osteoporosis. Certain medications, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, can also affect bone health and affect bone density. 

3. Osteogenesis Imperfecta:

This one of the types of osteoporosis, which is present from birth and is brought on by a genetic flaw, causes weak bones that are prone to breaking. Depending on how severe the problem is, osteogenesis imperfecta can take several forms. Since osteogenesis imperfecta is the most severe one of the stages of osteoporosis, which causes other body parts to degenerate and ultimately results in death, a newborn child may not always survive it. Most babies have it, while other kinds are mild.

4. Idiopathic Juvenile Osteoporosis:

There is no known aetiology for this one among the types of osteoporosis. It is an uncommon disorder that causes children and teenagers to have less bone density, which can result in fractures. It typically happens between the ages of 8 and 14, and in certain situations, bone density may naturally increase. 

5. Pregnancy-Associated Osteoporosis:

A usually rare condition, pregnancy-associated osteoporosis causes women to experience sudden fractures during pregnancy or lactation. This one of the types of osteoporosis is known to occur in women with low bone density and is a less intense kind of trauma where the fracture may not even be noticeable. 

FAQs

1. Who is at risk for osteoporosis?

Aged people, mostly above the age of 50 years, and post-menopausal women are the two categories of people who are the most vulnerable to the condition of osteoporosis. Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency and lack of estrogen are the factors that can lead to osteoporosis. Now, these are the primary osteoporosis vulnerable categories. Other than this, people with a family history of osteoporosis or those who have a leaner body frame, have a poor diet, a habit of smoking and excessive alcohol indulgence, and those who lead sedentary lifestyles are also at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis at a later stage in their lives. Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, the long-term use of corticosteroids, and hormonal imbalances are also responsible for the weakening of bones. 

2. What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is hard to diagnose in the sense that, at first, it is asymptomatic in its early stages. That is why this condition is also commonly known as the ‘silent disease’. One of the first signs of osteoporosis is fractures. However, in the later stages of osteoporosis, one might experience pain in the back region, a feeling of having their height shortened, a stooped posture, or even a fracture in the spine, hips or wrists. 

3. How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

There are a number of ways to diagnose osteoporosis. Primarily, a bone density test is used. This bone density test measures bone mineral density (BMD) and evaluates bone strength. In this test, there are scores given as T-scores, wherein a score of -2.5 or lower indicates osteoporosis. In addition to this, the physician might also check the patient’s medical history, genetic history, calcium and vitamin D levels, and conduct physical health checkups and blood or urine tests to determine the case of osteoporosis better. Diagnosing the condition as soon as possible is important as it can help prevent fractures.