OSTEOPOROSIS

Our bones do not form a rigid skeleton. It is constantly modifying to adapt to the strains. The amount of bones increases until we are 15-20 years old. Afterwards, the permanent slow decrease in bone material sets in. That’s why it is important to build up strong bones while you are young and to keep them as strong as possible.

Osteoporosis is a metabolism disorder of the bones. The balance between the forming and the decrease of bone material is out of order. The reduction of bone material is higher than the building up of new bones so that we also speak of “bone atrophy/loss of bones”. The inside of our bones becomes hollow resulting in growing instability. The bone density is reduced more quickly than without the disease.

In other words, the risk for bone fractures increases. The disorder is mainly found in older people, who are especially vulnerable because bone fractures tend not to heal so well as we get older. Quite often these fractures also have long-term negative consequences on people’s everyday life.

According to the WHO, osteoporosis is one of the 10 most important diseases worldwide. In Germany, there are about 6 million people who suffer from it.

Risk factors for osteoporosis

There are a number of risk factors which either speed up the reduction of bone material or slow down its formation. Generally speaking, more women than men tend to suffer from it due to the hormone changes during menopause. There are other risk factors, e.g.

• Being underweight
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Lack of vitamin D and calcium
• Medication with cortisone
• Medication with stomach protection ingredients
• Metabolism disorders
• Diseases of the thyroid glands
• Hormone disorders

Symptoms of an osteoporosis

Unfortunately, osteoporosis is often diagnosed only after a bone fracture, although the international guidelines for osteoporosis recommend a bone density analysis for women at the age of 70 and for men at the age of 80. If the patient shows some risk factors, the analysis should be done earlier. In Germany, 700,000 patients are treated annually for bone fractures due to osteoporosis. Many cases remain undetected. Quite often, the spine is hit because the vertebrae become smaller. The body height shrinks or people develop a hunchback posture. Also, fractures of the wrist and the neck of the femur occur more frequently with patients suffering from osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis can also lead to pain in the bones (ostealgia).

Diagnosis of osteoporosis

The standard method to diagnose osteoporosis is DXA, a bone density analysis. This analysis of the hip bones and lumbar spine shows the individual value of the patient and compares it to the average standard value of a 30-year-old healthy woman. The examinations only takes a couple of minutes.

Your specialists for osteoporosis in Düsseldorf

Osteoporosis is a disease which can be diagnosed easily and can be treated really well when detected early enough. We are very happy to talk you through your risk profile, support you during your therapy and to put together a preventive programme with a mix of sports activities and recommendations for an appropriate nutrition scheme and a healthy lifestyle. That way, the risk of bone fractures can clearly be reduced and the quality of life can be improved.