Why Osteoporosis is Common in Female?

Introduction:
Bone is a living tissue that breaks down and replaces itself on a regular basis. When the formation of new bone does not keep up with the loss of old bone, osteoporosis develops. Osteoporosis causes bones to become fragile and brittle, to the point that even minor stresses like leaning over or coughing can result in a fracture. The shoulder, wrist, and spine are the most common sites for osteoporosis-related fractures.
Osteoporosis disease affects both men and women. White and Asian women, especially those over the age of menopause, are at the greatest risk. Medications, a balanced diet, and weight-bearing exercise can all help avoid or strengthen bone loss.
What is Osteoporosis?
The term "osteoporosis" actually means "porous bone." It's a bone-weakening disorder that puts you at a higher risk for accidental bone fractures if you have it. Osteoporosis is described as a “loss of bone mass and strength”. The condition frequently progresses without causing any signs or discomfort, and it isn't noticed before the damaged bones result in painful fractures. The majority of these are shoulder, wrist, and spine fractures.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
There are normally no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. However, after osteoporosis has weakened your bones, you can notice the following signs and symptoms:
- A broken or collapsed vertebra causes back pain.
- Height decreases with age
- Deformed Structure
- Increase in the number of bones breakage
Causes and Risk Factors:
Several risk factors for osteoporosis have been reported by doctors. Some of them can be changed, while others are unavoidable. To preserve bone density, strength, and structural integrity, the body continuously absorbs old bone tissue and produces new bone.
When a person's bone density increases in their late twenties, it begins to deteriorate around the age of 35. Bone breaks down faster than it rebuilds as a person gets older. If this breakdown occurs frequently, osteoporosis may develop. It can affect both men and women, but it is more common in women after menopause due to the sudden drop in oestrogen levels. Estrogen protects women from osteoporosis in most cases.
Complications of Osteoporosis
The severe complications of osteoporosis includes bone fracturing, especially in the spine or hip. A fall is the most common cause of hip fractures, which can result in disability and even an increased risk of death during the first year after the accident.
Even if you haven't fallen, you can suffer a spinal fracture. Back pain, height loss, and a hunched over stance can all result from the bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) weakening to the point of crumpling.
Prevention:
Being a woman, getting older, and having a family history of osteoporosis are all risk factors. However, following are some of the most effective ways to avoid osteoporosis:
- Consuming the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D on a regular basis
- Do exercise regularly
- Stop smoking
- Considering the benefits and drawbacks of hormone therapy for women
If you think you may be at risk for osteoporosis, speak to your doctor about the best ways to avoid it.
Treatment:
Osteoporosis treatment aims to delay or avoid bone loss while also preventing fractures. Your doctor may advise you to do the following:
- Proper nutrition is important.
- Changes in the way of life.
- Exercising is essential.
- Medications are prescribed.
People who develop osteoporosis as a result of another illness should consult with their doctor to determine and treat the underlying cause. If you take a medication that causes bone loss, for example, your doctor can reduce the dosage or move you to another medication.
Healthy Nutrition:
Eating a regular balanced diet is a vital part of managing osteoporosis, which contains the following foods:
- Fruits and vegetables in abundance.
- An amount of calories that is suitable for your age, height, and weight. Your doctor or health care professional will assist you in determining the number of calories you need per day to maintain a healthy weight.
- Calcium, vitamin D, and protein-rich foods and beverages. These aid in the prevention of bone loss and the maintenance of good health. To preserve and maintain bone health, however, it's important to eat a diet rich in all nutrients. Calcium and vitamin D are the most essential. Calcium is required for strong bones, and vitamin D is required for calcium absorption.
- A healthy diet will help strengthen your bones. Certain nutrients must be included in your everyday diet to keep your bones healthy. Protein, magnesium, vitamin K, and zinc are some of the other nutrients that support bone health.
Exercise
Exercise can aid in the development of strong bones and the prevention of bone loss. Exercise will help your bones regardless of when you begin, but you will reap the greatest benefits if you begin regularly exercising when you are young and continue to exercise throughout your life.
Combine weight-bearing and balancing movements with strength training. Muscles and bones in your arms and upper back are strengthened by strength training. Rolling, jogging, biking, stair climbing, skipping rope, skiing, and other impact-producing activities mostly affect the bones in your legs, hips, and lower spine. Tai chi and other balance exercises can help you avoid falling, particularly as you get older.
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is a disease with severe consequences. Fractures can result, which are painful, take a long time to heal, and can lead to other complications. For example, if you have a hip fracture, you can need to remain in bed for a long time, which increases the risk of blood clots, pneumonia, and other infections.
Consult your doctor if you believe you are at risk for osteoporosis or have been diagnosed with it. They will help you develop a preventive or recovery plan that will help you improve your bone health and lower your risk of complications.
References
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jos/2015/638934/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5335887/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4089021/
https://pmj.bmj.com/content/78/923/526
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140673618321123