Women encounter distinct obstacles in maintaining healthy bones. Osteoporosis is more common in women, accounting for an estimated 80% of all occurrences. Among women over 50, one in two will suffer a major fracture as a result of osteoporosis. When you’re this old, it might take a long time to heal from a bone injury and get your mobility back.
For what reasons are females more likely to experience bone loss? Bone density declines with age, and women typically have thinner, smaller bones than men. Oestrogen, a hormone critical for bone strength maintenance, also decreases with the start of menopause. Bone density declines with oestrogen levels, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. For that reason, women should think about seeing a gynaecologist and expert orthopedic doctors to learn more about osteoporosis and its symptoms, as well as how to prevent or treat them.
Is the Health of Your Bones Actually That Important?
Bone strength declines with age, but thankfully, with the correct modifications in lifestyle, osteoporosis can be managed or even prevented. By concentrating on essentials first, younger women might have stronger, healthier bones. For example, cutting out alcohol and nicotine and replacing them with a calcium-and vitamin D-rich diet can have a significant impact. To lessen the severity of injuries or chronic pain and reduce the likelihood of future bone problems, Dubai physiotherapy can be very helpful.
Osteoporosis is known to have a direct causal relationship with some medical conditions, including eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia. Bone loss and osteoporosis risk factors include these diseases’ common comorbidity: amenorrhoea, or the lack of menstruation. Osteoporosis is more commonly caused by heredity or a medical condition in younger women who have not yet reached menopause. Sometimes the reason isn’t known, and the condition is referred to as “idiopathic” osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis Diagnosis and Treatment
Although it is not usually advised for younger women, bone density testing is the most common way to diagnose osteoporosis. Bone density tests could be misleading for petite women since they could reveal low density despite otherwise healthy bones relative to their stature. Alternative methods, such as reviewing the patient’s medical history, performing a physical examination, and occasionally utilising X-rays, are frequently suggested by gynaecologists and orthopaedists in such instances.
What Does Bone Density Testing Entail?
As a result of its reliance on measuring bone mineral content, bone density testing is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis, particularly in the elderly. One typical method for determining this is DXA, or dual-energy X-ray absorption. The FRAX calculator, which measures your susceptibility to fractures, is another helpful tool. An individual’s risk of experiencing a severe fracture over the next decade can be estimated using FRAX by integrating data on bone density with additional variables such as age, sex, weight, and height. Treatment for osteoporosis may be suggested if there is a high risk of hip, spine, shoulder, or forearm fractures.
Treatments: Pros, Cons, and Available Choices
The majority of osteoporosis drugs are not advised for use by women who have not yet reached menopause because of the risks involved. Certain osteoporosis medicines, however, may be safe for younger women who have previously used steroid medication. Because pregnancy can cause a decrease in calcium and vitamin D intake, pregnant women can assist in safeguarding their bone health by increasing their consumption of these minerals. Some research suggests that pregnancy may provide a preventive impact against bone loss, contrary to conventional opinion, and that having children does not automatically increase the risk of osteoporosis. Bone density may temporarily decrease while breastfeeding; however, this can be easily addressed with vitamin D supplementation.
Final Thoughts: Preventative Measures for Strong Bones
Bone health issues are prevalent among women, but they need not have a devastating impact on their lives. Modifying one’s way of life can significantly reduce the risk of bone loss. Bone strength can be preserved with a combination of a balanced diet high in calcium and vitamin D, frequent exercise (particularly weight-bearing activities), and a healthy lifestyle. To increase and maintain bone density, it is recommended to engage in high-intensity exercises, lift weights, and swim regularly.
To be sure taking medicine for osteoporosis is the best decision, it’s important to talk to an obstetrician and gynecologist as well as an orthopaedic specialist about it. However, if you would rather not take medicine, you can retain healthy bones and be active for a long time by following a proactive lifestyle that includes eating well and exercising often.
