Osteoporosiscauses progressive bone loss that can lead to fractures, breaks, and deformities.
While the condition worsens over time, proper treatment can help reduce complications and alleviate symptoms.
This article discusses the prognosis, complications, and treatment options associated with osteoporosis.
milorad kravic / Getty Images
milorad kravic / Getty Images
Stages of Osteoporosis
There are fourstages of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Prognosis
Peopleliving with osteoporosisexperience a reduced quality of life and lower life expectancy rates.
What Is the Average Life Expectancy for People With Osteoporosis?
The Importance of Early Detection
Because osteoporosis is progressive, detecting it early is vital.
By doing so, they can reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis.
Treatment
Treating osteoporosis focuses on reducing bone loss and building new bone tissue.
Medications and lifestyle interventions should be used together during treatment for the best results.
Medications
Medications used to treat osteoporosis do so by affecting different bodily processes that cause bone loss.
Drugs used to treat the condition include:
What are Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts?
Osteoclasts are cells that break down bones, and osteoblasts are cells that help form new bone tissue.
Living With Osteoporosis
Managing osteoporosiseffectively is vital for maintaining a good quality of life with the condition.
How Many People Have Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is quite common, especially in aging populations.
Summary
Osteoporosis is a progressive condition.
While it is not considered fatal in and of itself, it does shorten a persons life expectancy.
That is especially true if someone does not receive adequate treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no cure for osteoporosis, and it cannot be fully reversed.
However, viable treatments are available that help prevent bone loss and slow the progression of the disease.
People with proper treatment can expect a maintained quality of life while managing the disease.
Fractures cause complications that can lead to a decreased quality of life and early mortality.
People who do not treat their osteoporosis are much more likely to experience fractures that could lead to death.
Bone loss begins in a persons late 20s and early 30s.
After that, the rate at which bone loss occurs differs depending on the person and other lifestyle factors.
For example, people going through menopause may lose bone at a rate of 4% per year.
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Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.Osteoporosis and your spine.
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National Osteoporosis Foundation.Osteoporosis fast facts.
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.Osteoporosis information.
