Osteoporosis – Know this Silent Disease and its Risks
Unexpected Risks of Osteoporosis
By Jennifer Footit-Tank RN BSN, quality care coordinator at Network Health
Originally published on 5/18/2021 at 10:00 a.m.
Updated on 5/3/2022 by Jennifer Footit-Tank RN BSN
Osteoporosis is often considered a silent disease because you typically do not have symptoms until you experience a broken bone. This bone disease develops when bone strength decreases. When the bone structure weakens, you become more susceptible to fractures.
Is there a connection between menopause and osteoporosis?
Menopause is the decrease or lack of estrogen production. Studies indicate as much as two percent bone loss per year for several years. For people who go through menopause, rapid bone loss can occur quickly and last several years after the mid-life changes.
For this reason, people who go through menopause are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis than those who do not.
Developing a preventive plan with your provider when you begin to experience early symptoms of menopause may allow a slower progression of osteoporosis and may help you maintain your current level of bone strength as you age.
Other risks of osteoporosis
If left untreated, osteoporosis can expose you to other risks you don’t often hear about.
The connection between osteoporosis and dental problems
Osteoporosis not only affects the spine and hip bones but also our jawbones. As the bone density in the jaw decreases, the support to keep the teeth in place diminishes as well.
Research from the National Institute of Health (NIH) shows people with osteoporosis are three times more likely to lose teeth than those who do not have the disease. As bone density in the jaw decreases, the support pieces on which your teeth rely to stay in place, fail.
Some studies suggest that loose teeth provide an opportunity for bacteria to grow leading to a chronic infection called periodontitis. A consequence of periodontitis is tooth loss, making this a terrible cycle.
How to prevent dental problems from osteoporosis
To ensure your jawbone and teeth remain healthy and strong, see your dentist regularly and have the recommended dental x-rays. Your dentist can see if there are jawbone changes and recognize any symptoms of infection. Early intervention is the best way to persevere and protect your teeth.
Early intervention is the single best way to protect you and your teeth.
Understanding fracture risk with osteoporosis
As your bone strength decreases, your fracture risk increases. Untreated osteoporosis can make your bones so brittle that you can experience a bone fracture by simply coughing, sneezing or bending over to pick something up. You do not need to suffer a traumatic fall to break a bone.
This type of fracture is called a fragility fracture. Fragility fractures can occur in the spine, feet, hip or thigh. They are just as painful as a fracture from a fall.
Treatment requires rest while the bone heals, which will decrease your physical activity. Once healed, you may become overly cautious to prevent a fracture from happening again which can limit the amount of time you spend doing activities you enjoy.
How to prevent osteoporosis
You can help combat bone loss by ensuring your diet has adequate calcium and Vitamin D daily, and by increasing your physical activity. Just make sure to speak with your personal doctor before beginning any physical activity, especially if you feel you may have osteoporosis.
Yearly wellness exams with your personal doctor will allow you to ask your questions about what you can do to slow down any bone loss that occurs with menopause.
Completing a bone mineral density scan, at your doctor’s recommendation, will help determine how strong your bones are and whether intervention is needed.
For more information on how your Wisconsin-based health plan can help you with preventive care and screenings like a bone density test, contact us at Network Health today.
