Osteoporosis is a slowly developing condition affecting bone health, leading to weakening of bones, causing fragility and increased tendency to break. Pain starts after you experience a fracture.

The early stages of bone loss are symptomless. The following symptoms are seen with the weakening of bone:
•Collapsed or fractured vertebra causing back pain
•Reduced height with time or stooping
•Fragile bone that breaks easily

Factors leading to osteoporosis include:
•Age
•Low oestrogen in women, low testosterone in men, abnormal thyroid conditions and other hormonal imbalances
•Deficiency of calcium or vitamin D
•Lack of daily activity
•Medical conditions or medications (corticosteroids and anti-seizure drugs)
•Smoking or alcoholism

The physician will diagnose osteoporosis as follows:
•Calculating fracture risk in the patients using FRAX or Q-Fracture, which are online programmes
•Bone density scan (DEXA scan) to calculate bone strength

Osteoporosis treatment, aiming mainly at preventing bone fractures and treating the existing ones, includes:
•Proper diet counselling, with calcium and vitamin D supplementation
•Medications, such as bisphosphonates limit breakdown of the bones, thereby maintaining its density
•Elective oestrogen receptor modulators maintain bone density
•Hormone replacement therapy (testosterone therapy)