From chuckle strains and grey hairs to stiff joints, all of us see and really feel adjustments in our our bodies as we grow old. However one factor all of us expertise however can’t see is a change in bone density (or bone loss).
Modifications in bone density are a pure a part of getting older. This is the reason taking steps to guard your bones – like getting sufficient calcium and common bodily exercise – is so vital. However some individuals expertise extra bone loss than others, which might put them prone to osteoporosis.
Girls who’ve gone by menopause may be particularly high-risk for this situation, which is extra particularly referred to as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Why is that this?
Under, we clarify the connection between menopause and osteoporosis, threat components, the way it’s handled, and what you are able to do to forestall postmenopausal osteoporosis and enhance your bone well being.
What’s postmenopausal osteoporosis?
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is what it appears like: It’s the event of osteoporosis after menopause.
Osteoporosis occurs when an individual’s bones start to lose extra mass (and at a sooner tempo) than what’s regular for his or her age. And this bone loss results in extra brittle bones and a better threat of fractures.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is osteoporosis that’s associated to the lower in estrogen manufacturing that happens throughout menopause. In girls, estrogen helps to decelerate bone loss. In order estrogen ranges lower, bone loss can speed up. Which means that after menopause, you could be extra prone to expertise bone loss that may result in osteoporosis.
Are there threat components for postmenopausal osteoporosis?
In addition to being postmenopausal, the situation may be influenced by a number of different threat components, together with:
- Household historical past of osteoporosis
- Skinny or small physique body
- Weight-reduction plan low in vitamin D and calcium
- Being underweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Tobacco use
- Repeatedly consuming greater than two alcoholic drinks per day
- Lengthy-term use of sure drugs akin to steroids or Depo-Provera
Postmenopausal osteoporosis signs
As we talked about earlier, some bone loss as you age is regular. However even when extra bone mass is being misplaced than regular, many individuals don’t discover any signs till a fracture occurs. The commonest fractures are hip, wrist and backbone accidents.
For others, noticeable indicators of osteoporosis might embrace:
- Top loss
- Posture adjustments (stooping or hunching over)
- A curve within the again
- Again ache
How is postmenopausal osteoporosis recognized?
Bone mineral density (BMD) testing is the commonest manner docs consider bone well being.
Usually, docs advocate that girls full a preventive osteoporosis evaluation round age 65 by answering a couple of questions. If a physician believes there’s an elevated threat of osteoporosis, they could advocate a bone density scan to screen for osteoporosis.
Nevertheless, should you’re postmenopausal and anxious about your osteoporosis threat components otherwise you’ve not too long ago skilled a fracture, your physician will doubtless advocate that you simply go forward with the bone density screening.
The commonest BMD check is named twin vitality X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is sort of a low-power X-ray scan. Often the decrease again, hip or forearm is scanned, and the ensuing pictures can be utilized to diagnose osteoporosis, in addition to:
- Estimate bone fracture threat
- Estimate charge of bone loss
- Monitor the effectiveness of osteoporosis therapy
How is postmenopausal osteoporosis handled?
Remedy for postmenopausal osteoporosis often is determined by your probability of future fractures. In case your threat is low, way of life adjustments to handle bone loss and minimize your risk of falls could also be all that your physician recommends. In additional critical circumstances, sure drugs or therapies could also be really helpful, akin to:
- Bisphosphonates – These are probably the most generally prescribed medicines for osteoporosis. They’ll sluggish the speed of bone loss, which permits for will increase in bone density and reduces in fracture threat.
- Denosumab – Like bisphosphonates, denosumab will increase bone density. It additionally reduces general fracture threat.
- Hormone alternative remedy – For postmenopausal girls, estrogen alternative remedy can improve bone density. Relying on different well being components, modified estrogen (Raloxifene) could also be used.
- Different bone-building drugs – If different remedies aren’t efficient sufficient or your osteoporosis is extreme, you physician or clinician might advocate different drugs. For instance, teriparatide and abaloparatide are two that mimic parathyroid hormone, which helps regulate calcium ranges within the blood, to set off new bone development.
The best way to forestall osteoporosis earlier than and after menopause
Way of life adjustments can help prevent bone loss in addition to construct bone power should you’ve already been recognized with osteoporosis. Examples embrace:
- Train – Energy coaching can enhance muscle and bone power, whereas cardio exercise can enhance coordination and lower-body conditioning, and stability workout routines can assist forestall falls.
- Weight-reduction plan – Sustaining a balanced weight loss program that’s wealthy in calcium and vitamin D is vital for each stopping and managing osteoporosis. Calcium helps keep bone density and power, and vitamin D helps the physique soak up calcium. Ideally, you’d get all of the nutritional vitamins you want from the meals you eat. Nevertheless, your physician might advocate vitamin dietary supplements to assist ensure you’re getting the correct amount. For postmenopausal girls – 1,200-1,500 milligrams of calcium and 800-1,000 worldwide items of vitamin D per day is usually really helpful.
- Limiting toxins – Tobacco use and extreme alcohol consumption have each been linked to elevated threat of osteoporosis.
Test in in your bone well being
In relation to our bones, out of sight shouldn’t imply out of thoughts. Preserving our bones wholesome and stopping fractures is a key a part of sustaining our high quality of life as we age.
For starters, attempt to sustain in your annual checkups along with your main care supplier. And whenever you’re near 65, speak with them about your threat components and whether or not you need to schedule an osteoporosis screening.
However when you have considerations about your bone well being or are noticing any unusual signs, don’t wait till your subsequent annual bodily. Make an appointment along with your main care supplier straight away.
