Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease of bone in which the bone mass gradually loses itself. The essence of the disease is the excessive predominance of bone resorption processes over the processes of creating new bone tissue. Osteoporosis leads to a reduction in the mechanical strength of bones, and therefore significantly increases the risk of fractures. Osteoporotic fractures occur as a result of a low-severity injury, such as when you lean on your arm or fall from a standing position. Osteoporosis can be the result of inadequate diet, a sedentary lifestyle, hormonal disorders, comorbidities, and the chronic use of certain medications.

The early stages of osteoporosis are often asymptomatic. Only when the bones are fractured or fractured do pain in the spine and long bones appear. The force of gravity and the load on the body weight lead to deformation of the vertebral bodies, which is manifested by changes in the figure - a reduction in body height and rounding of the back in the thoracic spine.

Densitometric examination allows to assess bone mineral density. The examination is performed using an apparatus that emits small amounts of X-rays. During the diagnosis, the patient lies on a special table, and the device x-rays the bone tissue in a given area of ​​the body - most often it is the proximal epiphysis of the femur or the lumbar spine. Densitometry is a completely painless examination and does not require any special preparation. The results are presented in the form of indicators that compare the bone mineral density of the examined person with the bone density of the healthy population (T-score) and people in the same age group (Z-score).

Diet in patients with osteoporosis should be well-balanced, adjusted to age, gender, and the degree of deficiency of certain components shown in laboratory tests. Particular attention should be paid to meeting the demand for protein, calcium and vitamin D, which build bone tissue or affect its metabolism.

Dobór metod leczenia osteoporozy zależy od ewentualnej przyczyny jej wystąpienia. Postępowanie w większości przypadków jest kompleksowe i uwzględnia:

• przyjmowanie leków hamujących utratę masy kostnej,
• rehabilitację pod postacią bezpiecznych ćwiczeń poprawiających postawę i zmniejszających ryzyko upadku,
• leczenie dietetyczne,
• suplementację wapnia i witaminy D,
• ograniczenie czynników ryzyka (rzucenie palenia, rezygnację z alkoholu).

U kobiet po menopauzie lub z niedoborem estrogenów stosuje się hormonalną terapię zastępczą. Plan leczenia ustalany jest przez lekarza prowadzącego po dokładnej diagnostyce uwzględniającej ocenę zaawansowania osteoporozy oraz indywidualnych uwarunkowań zdrowia pacjenta.