Osteoporosis literally means porous bone. It consists of a loss of bone density and quality.
What are the main symptoms?
The biggest problem with this disease is that it does not usually produce symptoms, but can lead to bone fractures without warning.
At what age does it tend to appear and in what patient profile is it most common?
It can appear at different ages, although its prevalence tends to increase with age and is associated with aging and conditions such as menopause in women, the consumption of corticoids or toxic habits such as tobacco and alcohol.
How can it be treated?
There are different pharmacological treatments available, from calcium and vitamin D supplements to osteoformers such as teriparatide, to antiresorptive drugs such as denosumab or bisphosphonates. But the most important thing is to know when it is necessary to treat and when it is not, who should and who should not be treated.
It is often enough to follow basic advice on healthy lifestyle habits, proper nutrition and appropriate prevention of falls and fractures. The rheumatology specialist is essential to guide the treatment and select the right time to carry it out.
How does it affect the patient’s life?
Osteoporosis can be a truly debilitating condition, because in some people it can lead to fragility that leads to recurrent bone fractures and, therefore, to a limitation of daily activities, as well as pain. But fortunately, today there are preventive activities and various treatments to try to help improve this.