Osteoporosis is a common chronic disease in which bone density and bone mass are reduced beyond normal levels. In German, osteoporosis is therefore also known as bone atrophy. As a result, bone stability decreases and the bones become porous and brittle. The risk of bone fractures increases. Women in particular are at risk of osteoporosis due to hormonal changes during the menopause.
You can find all the important information and highly qualified osteoporosis specialists here.
Bone density increasingly decreases, particularly in women from around the age of 45. Men are more likely to be affected from around the age of 55.
Overall, women suffer from osteoporosis much more frequently than men. Approximately 15% of women between the ages of 50 and 60 suffer from osteoporosis after the menopause. Almost 50 % over the age of 70 have age-related osteoporosis.
The human skeletal system is made up of around 206 bones to ensure healthy and stable body statics. The video shows the structure and interaction of the bones from the little toe to the skull:
The normal (physiological) breakdown of bone mass begins at around the age of 30. At the same time, however, the body continues to build bone. Bone formation and bone resorption are controlled by various factors in the body. These include, for example, corticosteroids, oestrogens and iodothyronines.
In women, this balance is upset from around 40 to 45 years of age due to the increasing lack of oestrogen. The loss of bone substance now exceeds the normal level and osteoporosis develops. Around 90% of all osteoporosis is due to this oestrogen deficiency (so-called primary osteoporosis).
In addition to this primary osteoporosis, there is also secondary osteoporosis, which develops as a result of other diseases. The cause could be anorexia or chronic intestinal diseases, for example. This is often caused by a lack of nutrients, usually calcium and vitamin D.
However, certain medications are also risk factors, such as
Drugs that are used in the treatment of
also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Risk factors include
identify.
Osteoporosis reduces bone density, resulting in a decrease in bone stability © bilderzwerg / Fotolia
Osteoporosis does not initially cause any symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, bone fractures occur without any recognizable cause. These fractures are therefore also known as spontaneous fractures.
If these fractures occur in the vertebral region(vertebral fracture), they cause back pain. Patients often mistake this back pain for lumbago or sciatica.
If left untreated, patients become smaller due to increasing bone loss and vertebral fractures. They develop a hunched back and the lumbar spine curves forward. In order to avoid the resulting pain, patients adopt a relieving posture, which in turn usually leads to painful muscle tension.
The quality of life decreases with advanced osteoporosis due to the constant pain and restricted movement.
Falls occur more frequently, particularly in old age, with an increased risk of bone fractures and other injuries that result in further disability for the patient.
Due to the lack of symptoms at the beginning, initial osteoporosis is often not recognized. Osteoporosis in the early stages can only be detected by measuring bone density.
Bone density can be reliably determined using the DXA method. This is a special X-ray procedure in which low-dose X-rays are used. Depending on the amount of X-rays that pass through the bone, the so-called T-value is determined. This is a measure of bone density. A T-value of -1.00 means normal, a value of -1.01 to -2.49 stands for osteopenia (reduced bone density, but without increased risk of fracture) and a value of -2.5 and lower means osteoporosis.
In addition to the DXA method, there are two other methods for determining bone density: QCT (quantitative computer tomography) and QUS (quantitative ultrasound). However, QCT is not as accurate as the DXA method. With QUS, patients are not exposed to radiation, but the method is not yet fully developed.
In addition to determining bone density, diagnostics also include
Osteoporosis treatment is preceded by a thorough diagnosis © RFBSIP / Fotolia
During treatment, a distinction can be made between basic therapeutic measures and specific medication.
The basic therapeutic measures play a very important role and consist of
Existing osteoporosis cannot be reversed. Preventing and stopping bone loss is therefore particularly important. A balanced diet rich in calcium and regular exercise are important. Calcium in particular reduces the risk of bone fractures. Vitamin D supplements are also recommended.
In cases of advanced osteoporosis, medication is used to stop the excessive breakdown of bone. They are also intended to strengthen the remaining bone mass.
Bisphosphonates are often used to inhibit bone resorption , but other medications are also approved. Oestrogens and gestagens are only prescribed in exceptional cases and on a temporary basis, e.g. for severe hot flushes and sweating during the menopause.
Drug therapy depends not only on the severity of osteoporosis, but also on age and gender.
There are some very effective, well-tolerated and safe drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. Most of these are tablets that have to be taken weekly or monthly. Other preparations are administered as injections or infusions at varying intervals.
The following classes of active substances are currently available for the treatment of manifest osteoporosis:
The following are important in the prevention of osteoporosis
Being underweight is also harmful. Medication that can promote bone loss should only be used selectively and not without medical supervision. These medications include cortisone or thyroid hormone preparations, for example.
If osteoporosis is suspected, you can consult an orthopaedic specialist. This is a doctor who has completed further training as a specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery in addition to their medical studies. This training takes 6 years.
Osteologists are also experts in osteoporosis. An osteologist deals with all possible diseases of the skeleton, the structure of the bone and bone metabolism. The additional qualification of osteologist has only existed since 2004 and is awarded by the Dachverband Osteologie e.V. (umbrella organization for osteology).
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