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Osteoporosis: Pharmacists Module 1, 2018
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become abnormally thin, weakened and easily broken (fractured). It is often called the ‘silent disease’ because most people do not have any symptoms until a fracture occurs.
As we age, bone loss outpaces the growth of new bone and the bones may become porous, brittle and prone to fracture. Certain risk factors are linked to causing osteoporosis and contribute to a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. For example, women are at a much higher risk for developing osteoporosis after menopause due to lower levels of the hormone oestrogen, a female hormone that helps to preserve bone mass. Many people with osteoporosis have several risk factors. Doctors diagnose people at risk of osteoporosis by measuring their bone mineral density.
Around the world, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men are at risk of a bone fracture because of osteoporosis. Fractures can occur with little or no force and may occur after a minor fall. The most common fractures occur at the hip, spine and wrist. Of particular concern are spinal and hip fractures. Spinal fractures cause loss of height, intense back pain and deformity while hip fractures often require surgery and may result in loss of independence and death.
Fortunately, there are many steps that can be taken to prevent osteoporosis, including diet, exercise and not smoking. These recommendations apply to men and women. For people that are already affected by osteoporosis, there are medicines available that can slow further bone loss or help to increase the density of bones.
This module discusses osteoporosis and the therapies available (medical and non-medical) for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Preventing falls is a special concern for people with osteoporosis as falls can increase the chance of a fracture and measures that may be taken to prevent falls are also discussed.
