How to diagnose and treat osteoporosis?

The disease got its name from the combination of the Greek words osteon and poros, which translates as porous bone. Osteoporosis is characterized by changes in the structure and leaching of calcium from the bones. The danger of the disease is that symptoms may appear only at a late stage. Therefore, therapy is carried out untimely.

The causes of the pathology are divided into congenital and external. The main sources of thinning are considered to be alcohol abuse, vitamin C deficiency, heredity, gastric resection, and side effects of drugs.

Chronic pathologies and endocrine disorders increase the risk of developing the disease. For example, colitis, liver cirrhosis, sarcoidosis, myeloma, adrenal adenoma, diabetes mellitus, and others. Most often, the primary source is a complex of negative factors.

In order to correctly determine the disease, you should undergo an examination by a traumatologist-orthopedist, endocrinologist, gynecologist and rheumatologist.

When compiling anamnesis, the doctor finds out the patient's complaints. Usually, the symptoms of the disease are pain in the lumbar, pelvic, chest region and limbs, a feeling of heaviness, weakness, frequent fractures. But since the pathology develops slowly, the signs are not always clearly expressed.

To clarify the diagnosis, use the results of a blood test and other clinical procedures.

• X-ray and ultrasound densitometry. Determination of bone density.
• X-ray. Allows you to examine the skeleton for thinning of the cortical layer.

When conducting laboratory tests, pay attention to the presence of the following substances:

• osteocalcin shows the amount of protein involved in the formation and mineralization of new tissue;
• deoxypyridonoline is a marker of bone resorption (destruction). Its increased amount in the urine indicates the initial stage of thinning;
• phosphorus is involved in cellular metabolism and bone tissue growth;
• parathyroid hormone is a regulator of metabolism. Its concentration indicates the presence or absence of the disease.

Before taking tests, you must stop drinking alcohol, taking medications and dietary supplements, and avoid physical activity for a while. It is better to take blood on an empty stomach (at least 12 hours after the last meal).

It is impossible to completely cure osteoporosis. Therapy should be aimed at slowing down the destruction process so that the body can build up bone mass. For this, doctors prescribe drugs containing vitamins, phosphorus and calcium. Popular remedies include biophosphates, "Calcitonin", "Raloxifene", "Calcitrol", "Teriparatide" and others.

Traditionally, pharmacotherapy is carried out in combination with physiological methods. The kinesitherapy method is widespread. The essence of the effect consists in a dosed physical load on the body. But we must not forget that overload can lead to injuries. Therefore, such treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a rheumatologist. Massage and wearing special supporting corsets help speed up recovery.

Prevention of the disease consists of normalizing nutrition, giving up bad habits, and doing gymnastics. The correct diet for people at risk recommends diversifying the diet with low-fat dairy products, fish, nuts, sunflower seeds, and citrus fruits.