Osteoporosis which means 'porous bones' causes bones to become weak and brittle.

Symptoms:

1. Back pain.
2. Loss of height over time.
3. A stooped posture
4. Fracture of the vertebra, wrist, hip or other bone.

Risk factors :

1. Low calcium intake.
2. Smoking
3. Eating disorders e.g anorexia neruosa
4. Sedentary lifestyle
5. Excessive alcohol consumption
6. Corticosteroid medications

Test and diagnosis - Bone mineral density (BMD)

Treatment and Drugs :

Treatment of osteoporosis are based on a combination of bine mineral density and risk factors of the patient.

Indicated in patients with :

• All postmenopausal women who have had on osteoporotic vertebral fracture.
• BMD value consistent with osteoporosis (7-score worse than or equal to -2.5)
• BMD values 7-score from -2.0 to -2.5 plus at least one of the following risk factors for fracture (other than skull, facial bone ankle, finger and toe) since menopause and history of hip fracture in a patient.

Drugs used are :-

1. Biphosphonates
• Alendronate (Fosamax)
• Ibandronate (Bonviva)
• Risedronate (Actonel)
• Zoledronate (I/V Aclasta)
2. Strontium Ranelate (Protaxos).
3. Raloxifene (Evista) - It is a selective estrogen receptor modulotor (SERMS).
4. Patient must also take calcium supplement and vitamin D while taking the medication for osteoprosis.