What is osteoporosis?
Bone substance is lost faster than it can be replaced,
resulting in brittle or weak bones that can fracture easily.
What causes osteoporosis?
Factors such as low Calcium, Vitamin D, deficient in certain
sex hormones and consuming alcohol, smoking cigarettes , taking oral steroid
medication may predispose one to osteoporosis
What are the
differences between osteoporosis, rheumatism and arthritis?
Osteoporosis happens when the bone becomes brittle and may
break easily
Rheumatism involve pain around the tendon or ligaments,
e.g., tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel syndrome
Arthritis may affect both young and elderly. It happens when
the joint tissue become inflamed or worn out. Types of arthritis: Rheumatoid
arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis
Why are female are at
higher risk of osteoporosis?
Men have higher peak bone mass (PMB). Female undergo
menopause during which rapid bone loss happens
Signs and symptoms of
osteoporosis
Curving of the upper back, losing height, fracturing of bone
after a minor fall, experiencing severe back pain just above and below waist
during routine activities
How can osteoporosis
be detected?
By measuring Bone Mineral Density (BMD) using a machine
called Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Machine to obtain a T- score. The
T score helps to predict your chance of getting a fracture.
T
score and meaning
|
BMD
T score
|
Meaning
|
|
≥-1
|
Normal
|
|
<-1 to >- 2.5
|
Low bone mass
|
|
≤- 2.5
|
Osteoporosis
|
|
≤-2.5 + fracture
|
Severe osteoporosis
|
Source:
Clinical Guidelines 2009, Osteoporosis Society (Singapore)
by Ministry of Health
