Endocrinology Search
Endocrinology Endocrinology
osteoporosis
OSTEOPOROSIS
Osteoporosis is a progressive, systemic skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to increased bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures.
The more risk factors (eg history of fracture, advanced age, comorbidities, etc) that are present, the greater the risk of fracture.

Osteoporosis Patient Education

Lifestyle Modification

Exercise
  • Regular weight-bearing exercises and muscle strengthening exercises can improve agility, strength, posture and balance, which may help to prevent falls
    • Jogging, brisk walking, tai chi, weight training
    • Type of exercise will depend on age of patient and physical ability
    • At least 30 minutes of regular exercise 3-4 x/week is recommended
  • May modestly increase bone density (for as long as exercise is being done)
Avoid Cigarette Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
  • Both associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and should be avoided
  • Alcohol intake may be limited to <2 units/day
Limit Caffeine Intake
  • Caffeinated drinks should be limited to <1-2 servings/day (240-360 mL/serving)

Fall Prevention

  • Counsel the patient, especially the elderly, on ways to reduce risk of falls
    • Measures to prevent falls (eg installing grab bars/handrails, nonslip flooring, adequate lighting, removing loose wires, keeping things within reach)
    • Hip protectors may help reduce the impact on the hip during the fall
  • Evaluate for certain medications (eg sedatives, hypnotics, narcotic analgesics, antihypertensives), neurologic conditions, alcohol, poor vision and hearing, frailty and deconditioning as these may lead to falls
  • Recommend exercise and physical therapy referral

Support Devices

  • Eg braces, lumbar corset, posture-training support devices
  • Recommended for patients with acute vertebral fractures or multiple vertebral fractures associated with chronic pain
  • Provides significant pain relief by decreasing the load on fracture sites and realigning the spinal column
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS Endocrinology - Malaysia digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Cycling may prevent deaths in diabetes patients
Pearl Toh, 5 days ago
Cycling was associated with reduced risk for both all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality in people with diabetes, according to a study presented at EASD 2020 Meeting — suggesting that cycling could be encouraged as an activity to prevent deaths in this population who are known to have a higher mortality risk than the general public.
Increased exercise tied to lower mortality risk in adults with T2D
Elaine Soliven, 6 days ago

Higher levels of exercise appear to be associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with no exercise at all, according to a study presented at EASD 2020.
Detection of dysfunctional pancreatic beta cells in T1D feasible with GLP-1R imaging
Elvira Manzano, 07 Oct 2020
Exendin-4 imaging targeting GLP-1* receptor (GLP-1R) ably detects residual, dysfunctional pancreatic beta cells in individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes (T1D), according to a study presented at EASD 2020. This breakthrough brings research closer to the possibility of restoring insulin-producing cells depleted in T1D.
Frequent hot baths tied to better health in patients with T2D
Elvira Manzano, 12 Oct 2020
Taking regular hot baths may have a positive impact on glycaemia, blood pressure (BP), and body weight among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes(T2D), according to a real-world study touted as the first to analyse the effect of heat therapy in T2D.