Complications of osteoporosis that need to be watched out for

If left untreated, osteoporosis can cause various other health problems. Complications from osteoporosis are very diverse and not the same for each person. Again, it all depends on the condition of each person. Here are some of the most susceptible complications and how to prevent them.

The most common complication of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition when bones lose their mineral density, making them more brittle and prone to fractures. This bone loss disease can appear with a range of conditions from mild to severe.

When the level is severe and you don't get the right osteoporosis treatment and as soon as possible, there are various complications that lurk such as:

1. Broken bones

One of the most common complications of osteoporosis is fracture. Areas of bone that lose mineral density over time will gradually fracture. The spine, hips, and wrists are the areas of bone that fracture most often when osteoporosis occurs.

Fracture of the spine

A spinal fracture is a condition when the small bones in the back area are broken either one or more. If you have osteoporosis, fractures become a complication that is very prone to occur. Even bending over or coughing violently can instantly fracture your spine.

When the spine is fractured, this is usually accompanied by pain in the area along the spine from the lower back to the middle. In fact, the condition often gets worse when you sit or stand for long periods of time.

A vertebral fracture usually causes a reduction in height. If the bones are broken quite a lot, it is not impossible that your posture becomes bent.

In addition, one of the complications that occur due to unconscious osteoporosis symptoms can also cause persistent pain in your back and neck.

Hip fracture

Hip fractures are usually accompanied by pain of varying degrees. A person may feel only a little pain but still be able to walk. On the other hand, a person may no longer be able to bear the weight of his own body.

But in general, complications from osteoporosis are conditions characterized by symptoms such as:

• Pain in the hip.
• Swelling or bruising
• Difficulty walking or standing should be normal.
• The leg on one side of the affected area appears shorter or bent.

Sometimes the hip bones become so weak as a result of osteoporosis that even light activity can make the condition worse. Most of the time, people who have this fracture can still stand and walk but have severe pain in the groin, knee, or lower thigh.

Broken wrist

Wrist fractures are a common complication of osteoporosis. This condition is usually triggered when people with osteoporosis use their palms as a support when they fall. As a result, the wrist area carries too much weight for people with osteoporosis.

When a wrist is broken, there are a number of symptoms that will appear, such as:

• Pain, swelling, and bruising at the wrist or base of the thumb.
• Your wrist is bent at an unnatural angle.
• You develop a painful sensation when you try to grasp something in the area of ​​the injured hand.

2. Osteoarthritis

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis that gets worse and is not treated promptly can lead to complications in the form of other musculoskeletal disorders, namely osteoarthritis. Especially when the bone that has been porous increases the pressure on the joints around it.

Osteoarthritis is calcification of the joints that usually occurs around the hips, knees, neck and lower body. Generally, this disease occurs in joints that are injured as a result of overuse. However, the pressure that occurs in the joints due to bone loss can also lead to calcification of the joints.

3. Depression

Depression is a psychiatric disorder that can arise as a complication of advanced osteoporosis. This is because people whose bone loss is out of control often find it difficult to move.

As a result, they spend a lot of time in bed or chairs. This makes it difficult for people with osteoporosis to do things on their own. Help from other people will always be needed even just to get out of bed.

His various hobbies and daily activities such as gardening, cooking, and traveling may be difficult to do alone. Even if possible, people with osteoporosis usually need wheelchair assistance. The reason is, these various activities are not relaxing but painful.

If these feelings and thoughts are not changed or managed in a positive way, it is not impossible for the sufferer to experience depression. Joining a support group or association of people with osteoporosis can be a solution.

That way, people with osteoporosis don't feel alone anymore. In addition, doing various fun things can also help divert your mind about your illness.

4. Heart problems

Based on recent research, it turns out that osteoporosis can lead to heart problems, namely coronary heart disease.

This is because in people with osteoporosis, the rate at which bone breaks down is fast. As a result, the level of calcium in the blood increases. This can increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is the cause of coronary heart disease.

Therefore, as long as you are still healthy or have mild osteoporosis, immediately leave an unhealthy lifestyle. Get plenty of exercise that is good for bones and consume bone-strengthening foods. In addition, keep your bones healthy from an early age by avoiding various causes of osteoporosis.

Take various precautions against bone loss to keep bones strong and healthy. Get a bone density test to understand how healthy your bones are. That way, you can be more determined to take the next steps for a healthier body.