Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is also colloquially known as "bone loss" and is a widespread disease that primarily affects women and older men. The disease is characterized by a disorder in bone metabolism that leads to a loss of bone mass above the normal level. This impairs the bone structure and causes it to lose stability. The bone literally becomes porous. This means that it can break even in minor accidents such as small falls. In advanced stages, it can break when lifting something like a shopping bag or watering can. Even simply bending over or sneezing can result in bone fractures. It is estimated that almost one in three women and around one in five men over the age of 50 in Germany suffers from osteoporosis. That is almost eight million people in Germany. Two million people in Germany have already suffered a bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis mostly affects older people, it can also develop at a young age under certain circumstances, e.g. B. through long-term cortisone treatment.

Osteoporosis usually progresses without noticeable symptoms for many years. By the time symptoms appear, the disease is usually already significantly advanced. The earlier a doctor detects bone loss, the better he or she can prevent its progression.

What symptoms do patients with osteoporosis have?

Acute or recurring back pain is often the first warning sign of osteoporosis. However, the disease is often not recognized until bone fractures occur. Typical fractures occur in the vertebrae, femoral neck, or wrist.