Don’t let postmenopausal osteoporosis get you down!

Menopause, the word that so many women in their 40s cringe at the sound of. And rightly so, since menopause is no walk in the park and is associated with many undesirable symptoms.

One of these symptom is osteoporosis, which can make simple activities such as walking, getting up and standing for long periods of time a chore.
For women who have not been through menopause this might sound pretty bad and truth it is. But don’t let the thought of postmenopausal osteoporosis get you down. There are things you can do to prevent and alleviate it.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes once strong and healthy bones to lose their density. In other words, bones become weak and fragile which can increase your risk of fractures.

Symptoms of osteoporosis

In the early stages of osteoporosis, there are little to no signs that it is happening. However, once there is a significant amount of bone loss persons will start to experience:

• Back and neck pain- Compression fractures in the spine can pinch the nerves of the spinal cord causing moderate to severe neck and back pain.

• Decrease in height and stooped posture- This is caused by compression fractures in the spine which can cause it to become curved. This can even lead to breathing issues.

• Receding gums- The gums will start to recede if the jaw starts to lose bone.

• Weak grip strength- Having low bone density can reduce grip strength which can increase the risk of falls and fractures.

• Brittle fingernails and teeth- Persons who have osteoporosis might notice their fingernails and teeth break easily or become super sensitive.

• Fractures from falls- Fractures can occur from small falls off a chair or even missing one’s step on a curve. In more severe cases, a strong sneeze or cough can even cause a fracture

What causes osteoporosis?

 

Osteoporosis can happen to both men and women and can be caused by various factors.

Age is perhaps the most common cause of osteoporosis since your bone naturally breaks down faster than their bodies can regenerate it.

Other causes of osteoporosis include hyperthyroidism , eating disorders and low calcium intake, vitamin D deficiency, and medication such as corticosteroids used to treat illnesses such as cancer, seizures, arthritis, and asthma.

In women over the age of 45, menopause is the leading cause of osteoporosis. This happens due to low estrogen production in the body that helps with the absorption of calcium, a crucial component in maintaining healthy bone mass.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

 

Osteoporosis is not the only disease that causes its symptoms. To differentiate it from other conditions you will need to see a doctor who will likely recommend an X-ray.

This is a special type of X-ray called a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiomerty (DXA/ DEXA). This X-ray measures bone density or thickness at the lower spine

A DXA scan measures bone density (or thickness), usually at the lower spine and at the upper part of the hip. The area is exposed to a low dose of ionizing radiation which produces a picture of your bones. It is then reported as a T and Z score.

The T score is the amount of bone you have versus a young person who is at their peak bone mass. Normal bone density is indicated by a score of -1 and above. A score between -1 and -2.4 means osteopenia, or low bone mass. Anything from -2.5 will mean that you have osteoporosis.

The Z score compares your bone density to that of what someone your age is expected to have. This can help to determine the severity of your condition or if there may be another issue, for instance, an abnormally high bone density.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Osteoporosis is an incurable disease that can be managed through medication and proper diet.

Once diagnosed your doctor will lay out your options for you. Some of these will include:

Vitamin D and calcium

Calcium is needed in the body to maintain bone density while Vitamin D allows the body to absorb calcium. Prescribing these supplements where the diet is lacking can help to strengthen bones and prevent fractures.

One study found that excessive calcium supplements can increase your chances of developing heart disease so it always advised to go the natural route.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is where the body is fed hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and progestin to manage symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Hormone therapy can also be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis and can take various forms such as pills, rings, gels/creams, sprays, and patches.

The side effects of this treatment include weight gain, increased risk of heart disease, bloating, spotting, nausea and migraines.

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates help to preserve bone mass by slowing down the breakdown of bone in the body. They can be taken in the form of a pill weekly or month or by an annual intravenous infusion.

Side effects of this treatment include prolonged healing, nausea, and vomiting. A rare side effect of this type of treatment is osteonecrosis of the jaw where the cells in the bone of the draw decrease or die.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

SERMs treatment involves blocking the effect of estrogen at certain receptors and allowing the effects to take place at others.

This promotes bone density but can cause side effects such as hot flashes and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Parathyroid hormones

Parathyroid is a hormone that is produced in the body that helps to regulate calcium levels in the bone. When given in the form of an injection, it can help to promote bone density and reduce bone thinning.

This treatment does have a few side effects such as nausea and vomiting and is not considered a long-term solution by some doctors.

Denosumab

Denosumab is a type of medication used specifically to treat bone loss. It is administered in the form of an injection twice a year under the skin.

Side effects of this medication include skin infections, skin rashes, and joint pain but are easily managed with topical creams and over the counter pain medications. A side effect of denosumab is osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Exercise

Low impact exercise can be helpful for patients who suffer from osteoporosis once done under the supervision of a professional. These exercises should include low amounts of resistance training, enough to encourage bone health but not enough to cause a fracture. Balance and flexibility exercises such as yoga and stretching should be a priority since it can help to prevent falls.

How To Increase Bone Density During Menopause

 

If you are in the early stages of menopause that does not mean you are bound to develop osteoporosis. In fact, there are a few things you can do to reduce those chances. These include:

 Ensuring your calcium levels are balanced- The recommended dietary calcium intake for a woman approaching menopause is 1000mg . To achieve this you must include foods rich in calcium in your diet. Dairy is a good source of calcium as are green leafy veggies, tofu, fish with edible bones such as salmon and pilchards and nuts. You also have the option of taking supplements.

 Exercise- Resistance exercise is a great way to improve bone strength and mass. At least 30 minutes of physical activity a day can also improve balance and flexibility which decreases the risk of falls.

 Ensuring your Vitamin D levels are sufficient- Vitamin D is integral to the absorption of calcium in the body. You can get vitamin D from being in the sun and foods such as fatty fish (tuna, salmon, mackerel), mushrooms, cheese, and egg yolk.

 Include more protein in the diet- Proteins are the building blocks of the body, especially of bone. Foods rich in protein include dairy, lean meat, poultry, fish and legumes. Nuts and beans are also a great source for vegans and vegetarians.

 Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake- Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine can increased bone breakdown and decrease bone formation since they interfere with calcium absorption. They can also cause hormone deficiency which has a direct link to bone health.

 Avoid smoking- Smoking can reduce blood supply to the tissues and bones in the body. Since calcium is absorbed through the lining of the small intestines into the bloodstream, having a low blood supply reduces the amount of calcium that reaches the bones which causes them to weaken.

Final word

 

Don’t let osteoporosis get you down. Sure, it isn’t curable but there are many ways you can manage it to improve your quality of life. To find the right treatment plan for you, your doctor will take your medical history, lifestyle and your X-ray results into consideration. Once you are past that, all you have to do is stick to the treatment plan prescribed.

If you don’t have osteoporosis, preventing it is as easy as drinking your milk, doing daily exercise, making better lifestyle choices and talking to your doctor. You will be glad you did when you are able to keep up with your grandkids in the future