Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: Ways To Reduce Fracture Risk

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that makes the bones weak gradually. As a result if a female, especially a postmenopausal female, suffers from osteoporosis it increases the risk of fractures. Postmenopausal Osteoporosis is a common form of osteoporosis and many females have this condition.

The process that keeps the bones strong in the body is the one in which the cells in the body replace the old bone with new ones and this is an ongoing process. In Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, this process breaks and the rate at which the bone is lost is too fast than the rate at which a new bone is formed causing formation of fragile bones which can break or fracture easily. This condition is prevalent mostly in females above the age of 50.

If osteoporosis is not identified and treated adequately then it can make the bones extremely weak such that it may break even with a minor trauma. Most of the fractures related to Postmenopausal Osteoporosis take place in the hip, spine, and wrists.

Since Postmenopausal Osteoporosis is a disease which rarely produce any symptoms and is not identified unless there is a fracture and the bone mineral density is checked, hence postmenopausal females should make it a habit of taking calcium supplements to keep their bones strong Postmenopausal females need to keep a track of their bone mineral density through routine checkups and based on that the treating physician can formulate a management plan.

The first sign of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis is a fracture usually as a result of a minor trauma. The best way to measure the risk of fractures is by measuring the bone density. This is done through DEXA scan. Some of the factors which increase the risk for fractures due to Postmenopausal Osteoporosis are:

• Low body weight
• Previous history of a fracture
• Frequent falls
• Smoking
• Inactivity
• Low calcium intake
• Low vitamin D
• Low bone density.

Some of the ways to reduce the risk of fractures due to Postmenopausal Osteoporosis are:

• Prevent falls by having handrails in stairways, using mats that do not slip near the shower, keeping the house well lit, wearing good shoe wear so that it may not slip, avoid obstacles while walking on the road or pavements.
• Increasing calcium intake in the diet also reduces the risk of fractures and strengthens the bones
• Regular strengthening exercises facilitate improved bone density, maintain good muscle mass, and improve flexibility and balance. Some of the exercises which a person can do are swimming, walking etc.

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