Of Bones and Joints

Know the reasons why osteoporosis and arthritis are the two major problems affecting women. A few tips on how to treat them
Of Bones and Joints

It is possible that both osteoporosis and arthritis can develop simultaneously. Women have smaller and thinner bones, and with age, the hormone protecting bones, estrogen, decreases at menopause. It is found that women have low density and lose bone mass with age.

Osteoporosis means 'porous bone'. It is a bone condition wherein bones become porous, weak, and brittle. When this bone condition occurs, bones can develop fractures out of falls or mild stresses. Bones break down and get replaced in our bodies because the bone is a living tissue. But when this condition happens, the creation of bones does not occur, and once the old bones break down, it does not get replaced with new ones.

Osteoporosis can affect men and women, but this bone condition is common in women, especially older women, post-menopause. If this bone condition is detected, bones can be strengthened to some extent, and bone loss can be prevented with the help of medications, a healthy diet, and some weight-bearing exercises.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

There is no evident symptom of bone loss in the early stages. But some signs are visible once bones become weak due to osteoporosis. These symptoms are lower back pain, losing of a person's height with time, stooping posture, easy bone breakage, shortness of breath, and receding gums.

Problems caused by Osteoporosis

Many problems can arise due to Osteoporosis. Constant pain in the back can sometimes be intolerable, and the person with Osteoporosis may find it difficult to move. Bones make the skeletal framework of the body. So, if bones are fragile, the person will become weak and prone to a fracturing in different parts of the body.

Causes of Osteoporosis

Intake of steroids: Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone and cortisone, interferes with the bone-rebuilding process.

Lack of estrogen production: The fall in estrogen levels in women at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors for developing osteoporosis.

Unhealthy or poor diet and underweight or low body weight: Severely restricting food intake and being underweight weakens bone in both men and women.

Heavy drinking and smoking: Regular consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks a day increases the risk of osteoporosis.

Family history: Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts you at greater risk, especially if your mother or father fractured a hip.

Ethnicity: You're at greatest risk of osteoporosis if you're white or of Asian descent and many other medical conditions can cause osteoporosis.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

Treatment includes exercises of weight bearing, resistance, balance exercise, medications, and taking in vitamin and mineral supplements. There are various classes of drugs that are useful to treat Osteoporosis, such as hormone-related therapy, bisphosphonates, biologics, and anabolic agents. Osteoporosis should be treated with medication when the bone density test scores of -2.5 or lower. A woman can opt for treatment when they suffer from osteopenia. Supplements of vitamin D and calcium must be added to serve the purpose.

Besides Osteoporosis, women also have arthritis which is inflammation of the joint(s). The inflammation in joints worsens with age, and it causes pain and stiffness in the joints.

There are different types of arthritis, such as gout, juvenile idiopathic, osteoarthritis, psoriatic, reactive, rheumatoid, septic, thumb, and ankylosing spondylitis. But the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These cause damage to joints in different ways. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to break down. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the joints.

Symptoms of Arthritis

The common symptoms of arthritis are pain, stiffness, and swelling, redness, less motion, tenderness, and warmth.

Problems caused by Arthritis

The quality of life changes due to the pain and immobility that arthritis brings. The pain can be intolerable and can cause an issue with sleep, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Some other chronic conditions may develop, and the lack of physical activity may isolate the person in the long run.

Causes of Arthritis

The exact cause of each type of arthritis is not known. However, one may develop arthritis if there is a family history, viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and obesity. Also, some other factors can cause arthritis, such as age, lifestyle, sex and weight. It may also be caused by wear and tear of a joint from overuse, injuries, obesity, autoimmune disorders, genes or family history and muscle weakness.

Treatment of Arthritis

Treatment of arthritis varies based on the type of arthritis one is suffering from. The treatment includes medicines and pain management techniques. In severe cases, surgery is needed.

Along with the already mentioned treatment of osteoporosis and arthritis, one must make sure to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Women are more prone to osteoporosis and arthritis. Post-menopause in women, several ailments happen. It is possible that both osteoporosis and arthritis can develop simultaneously. Women have smaller and thinner bones, and with age, the hormone protecting bones, estrogen, decreases at menopause. It is found that women have low density and lose bone mass with age. Also, other ailments can cause osteoporosis, such as reduced calcium absorption in the intestine and increased urinary calcium loss. Also, women's joints are less stable than men's, so women are at risk of arthritis. Proper diet and exercise must be followed consistently to enjoy overall health benefits.

Some similarities and differences between the two illness are:

Similarities: Both are chronic conditions capable of affecting your bones and joints. Age and genetics increase the risk. Diagnosis includes physical exams, imaging, and blood tests. In some cases, surgery may be necessary for treatment (such as to repair a fracture or replace a joint). Exercise and lifestyle adjustments can improve outcomes for both.

Differences: While arthritis can cause joint pain and swelling, osteoporosis is largely considered a "silent" disease until a fracture occurs. Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on increasing bone density, while treatment for arthritis aims to reduce pain and swelling while preserving the affected joints. Arthritis has more types than osteoporosis. For some people, osteoporosis can be fully prevented with a health-promoting lifestyle, while many types of arthritis cannot be prevented.

The key takeaway is that eating a nutrient-dense diet and living an active lifestyle are the best ways to prevent osteoporosis. Once it develops, osteoporosis is not reversible. However, symptoms can be managed. Arthritis may develop regardless of whether you take precautions, but physical therapy and medication can help treat symptoms and reduce flares. Age and family history are key risk factors for both conditions. It's important to tell your doctor if your parents have osteoporosis or if there's a family history of autoimmune diseases. They can order screening blood and imaging tests to help determine your chance of developing arthritis and osteoporosis.

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