Most people have an inherent fear of diabetes and cancer. People fear that one day they may get diabetes and take steps to prevent it. But seldom does anyone think that they will get an osteoporotic fracture. For a lady, the lifetime risk of a fracture is more than the risk of diabetes or breast carcinoma. And we need to prevent it.
Fractures like wrist and hip are obvious. They cause severe pain and deformity with limitation of movement. But vertebral fractures may not cause enough symptoms to seek medical help. It may be a small back ache or a loss of height that most people may not notice. Eventually it becomes and deformity. But remember that even the first fracture can be prevented!
Fractures may be a sign of hidden disease
Fractures may be due to osteoporosis. But osteoporosis can be due to uncommon but serious underlying disease. Vitamin D deficiency, poor calcium intake, thyroid and parathyroid diseases may cause osteoporosis. Steroid use and increased internal production of steroids may cause osteoporosis. Poor absorption of calcium due to intestinal diseases or just plain immobilisation can cause weak bones. Rare malignancies like multiple myeloma can cause osteoporosis. Common diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis can make you prone to developing osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis, it is important to investigate it with an endocrinologist.