What is it?
Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. It develops slowly over several years and is often only diagnosed when a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture.
What are the symptoms?
There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may have signs and symptoms that include:
- Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra.
- Loss of height over time.
- A stooped posture.
- A bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected.
What to expect?
If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, you can consider discussing the following subjects with your doctor:
- Was there any specific cause found?
- Some patients with osteoporosis undergo diagnostic investigations to determine the cause and severity of the condition. If so, what investigations are needed? Do you need some form of preparation before these investigations?
- If you have other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, do you stricture control of these conditions?
- Often patients with osteoporosis are prescribed with calcium supplements. Is this the case for you as well? Or are there any other options that your GP can recommend?
- A healthy diet and an active lifestyle can help in building and maintaining strong and healthy bones. What lifestyle changes can you make?