Osteoporosis Complications can Change your Life

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By Jeff F. - 2007-06-20
Find more articles like this in our Womens Health Issues category.

A disease in which bones begin to lose their density leading to a significant increase in the risk for fracture bones, osteoporosis can lead to severe complications which increase both morbidity and mortality following bone fractures.

The older you get, the more at risk you are for bone fractures and for the development of osteoporosis.

With age bones begin to lose collagen, protein, and calcium all of which are responsible for helping to strengthen bones and to hopefully prevent fractures.

For those of you who have been diagnosed with either osteoporosis or even osteopenia you are at the highest risk for fractures related to the loss of bone density and strength.

These fractures can result from even the most minor injury. Osteoporotic fractures are known to occur when it seems that you are doing nothing at all.

Sometimes fractures occur with even routine daily activities.

This is the risk of osteoporosis.

Those most at risk for future osteoporotic fractures are those who have already suffered them in the past. Some research indicates that for postmenopausal women who have already endured a vertebral fracture in the previous 12 months will also experience a subsequent fracture in the coming 12 months.

That is a rather sobering statistic. It is for this reason that early and aggressive treatment and management of osteoporosis must be secured.

Osteoporosis is not something that is best left ignore or even under treated.

Aggressive treatment is necessary in order to hopefully obtain the best outcome.

With aggressive treatment and long-term management the hope is that you can significantly reduce your risk for more fractures related to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis complications include both morbidity and mortality. Some who suffer from osteoporosis also suffer from a significant amount of pain, as well as days absent from work related to osteoporosis complications, decrease in quality of life, and for some, even permanent disability.

Often times for those who suffer from any osteoporotic fracture they never fully recover.

Hip fractures are a common complication of osteoporosis and not only put patients at risk for orthopedic complications and required surgery associated with this condition but also make patients more susceptible to deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia and other immobility issues such as a loss of muscle tone and strength.

Many who suffer a hip fracture related to osteoporosis find themselves requiring long-term nursing home care after the initial recovery period due to the morbidity associated with the fracture. The current mortality rate in the first 12 months after a hip fracture is thought to be approximately 20%.

Kyphosis is a serious osteoporosis complication in which vertebral fractures ultimately lead to spinal deformity which can cause the hunchback known as kyphosis. With kyphosis, the internal organs become compressed due to the deformity which can lead to breathing difficulties.

Osteoporosis must be aggressively managed in hopes of avoiding future long-term complications. The serious complications associated with osteoporosis are ones which can severely alter your daily life.

Seeking medical care for osteoporosis is a decision you must make if you intend to regain control of your life and hope to ever stop the progression of osteoporosis complications.