Osteoporosis is a disease defined by the loss of bone mass compared to normal values for a given age, sex, and race. It is related to an increase of suffering bone fractures and vertebral compression fractures with minimal trauma or usual physical movements. The prevalence of osteoporosis among women is 25% in women between 60 and 69 years and 42% in women between 70-80 years. Your local Family Doctor in Columbus MS classifies osteoporosis for postmenopausal women based on the values obtained in a bone densitometry (DEXA) scan:
• Osteoporosis: T-score of -2.5 or more
• Osteopenia: T-score of -1 to -2.5
• Normality: T-score above -1 SD
Osteoporosis is classified into two groups. Primary osteoporosis is the most common form, as there are:
• Postmenopausal osteoporosis: women aged 50-70 years with vertebral compression or wrist fractures
• Senile osteoporosis: in both sexes, although somewhat higher in men from age 70. There is an increased risk of hip fractures and vertebrae
• Idiopathic: young men and women
Secondary osteoporosis involves things like:
• Cushing syndrome (including chronic glucocorticoids);
• Hyperthyroidism;
• Hyperparathyroidism;
• Hypogonadism;
• Immobilization;
• Chronic administration of heparin;
• Anemia;
• Lymphoma;
• Liver disease;
• Multiple myeloma and alcoholism.
Osteoporosis is considered a disease in which bone loss occurs at a higher speed relative to the normal aging. The bone structure becomes more and more brittle spongy accordingly. Hormone levels, physical exercise, diet, toxic habits alternate bone formation and can destroy them. An adult reaches its peak bone mass at age 35. It is from here that the body begins a slow decrease in bone mass that lasts a lifetime. This implies that a low calcium intake during childhood and adolescence cause a decrease in bone mass and is the risk factor for developing osteoporosis in later life.
The optimal daily dose of calcium varies depending on age. For instance, a newborn to 6 months old baby will require a calcium intake of 400 mg / day, a child of 6-10 years between 800-1200mg, teens / young adults, between 1200-1500mg, adult men and women between 25-65 years, 1000 mg, from 65, 1500mg and pregnant and during lactation, 1200-1500 mg / day. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is caused by a deficiency of estrogen (female sex hormones). Until menopause, estrogen acts as a protective factor of bone. In senile osteoporosis, there is an alteration in the metabolism of vitamin D and the consequences of aging itself. Schedule an appointment with your local Family Doctor in Columbus MS.
