The Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the body loses too much bone, too little bone, or even both.This medical condition makes the bones brittle and fragile, making it easy for the bones to become more weak and potentially break off inside the body. The brittleness of the bones makes it extremely easy for one to get a fracture on their bone. Some people with osteoporosis get fractures or breaks in their bones with mild movements. Such as, sneezing, coughing, and even bending over (“Osteoporosis”, 2016). The bone is a tissue in which it is always breaking down and being replaced with new bone. Osteoporosis does not keep up with the removal of the old bone. Osteoporosis can affect any male or female, but it has a tendency to affect white and asian women who are passed menopause (Norman, 2016).

Osteoporosis can also be known as the “silent disease” because feeling the bones become weak is not a feeling one could immediately detect. However, when one begins to break bones more than usual, that is often a sign of osteoporosis. If one can start to lose height or notice their spine begin to curve than they should be checked by a doctor and tested for osteoporosis (“Osteoporosis, 2016”). Osteoporosis may limit mobility, which often leads to feelings of isolation or depression (Sheil, 2016).

A doctor will examine the patient and record their symptoms. However, there is no way of diagnosing a patient unless X- rays are done. These X-rays are referred to as densitometry. Densitometry will give accurate results in the precise measurements of the bone. This measures the bone density and it is also called bone mineral density, BMD. (“Osteoporosis”, 2016). The World Health Organization created criteria in making the diagnosis of osteoporosis. According to the World Health Organization, a doctor must determine the levels that predict the chances of getting a fracture. According to the criteria, the doctor must compare the patient’s BMD to the levels of a healthy person. The BMD measurements will determine how severe or how mild the osteoporosis may be (Norman, 2016).

The treatment used is based on how severe the osteoporosis is by the BMD levels. If the BMD levels are low, than no medications would be required for the patient. However, changes in their daily lifestyle will be required due to the fact that the patient will now have a higher risk in breaking their bones. There are many different medications that can be consumed for those with mild to severe osteoporosis. Some studies show that increasing soy protein in one’s diet can help with osteoporosis. Physical therapy is also offered (“Osteoporosis”, 2016).

Although there is no generic cure for osteoporosis, the outlook for those with the disease is not entirely horrible. If the disease is detected early enough, precautions can be taken and it can be treated early. Even severe osteoporosis can be treated and the fractures or breaking of the bones can be improved (“Osteoporosis” 2016). The pain that comes with the bone fractures is only temporary and goes away within a week or two. There is hope for those with osteoporosis because of the medications and treatments available.