Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to thin. Osteoporosis is not painful but it makes your bones more prone to breaking (fracture).  Women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoporosis and as you get older you are more likely to have it.

 

Osteoporosis can be diagnosed by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). You may be asked to have a blood test to look for reasons why you might have osteoporosis.

 

There is no cure for osteoporosis, but there are treatments that can improve bone strength and reduce your chances of breaking a bone.

If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis you may be prescribed several medications to improve your bone strength.  You will have follow-up either with your GP or a specialist to make sure that the medication suits you. 

You will also be given some advice about other things you can do to help manage your osteoporosis such as weight bearing exercises.

Paget's Disease

This is a condition of increased 'turnover' of bone.  Most people with the condition do not experience symptoms and it may be detected when an X-ray is done for another reason.  However it may cause deformity of bones as well as pain and increased risk of fracture.

Treatment of this condition is usually with a group of drugs called bisphosphonates.

Hyperparathyroidism

There are four parathyroid glands which lie in the neck and are each about the size of a grain of rice.  They are important in regulating your calcium levels.  Occasionally they may become 'overactive', resulting in high calcium levels. This is detected on a blood test.  If the blood tests suggest your parathyroid glands are overactive then you may be asked to have a special scan of your neck to localise the affected gland. If your calcium levels become very high and/or you develop problems such as kidney stones or osteoporosis it may be recommended that you have an operation to remove the overactive gland.

Other Causes of High Calcium

High calcium levels can be associated with a number of symptoms including abdominal pain, constipation, depression, confusion, thirst, increased urine output, and itching. If you are found to have a high calcium level on a routine blood test, your GP may refer you to an endocrinologist for further review. You will be asked to have a number of blood tests as well as a possible scan to determine the cause of your high calcium level.

Low Calcium

If you have low calcium levels you may experience tingling or numbness especially in fingers, toes or lips or cramps and spasms.  If you are found to have low calcium levels, your GP will refer you for further investigation. This will normally involve some specialised blood tests. Treatment normally involves replacement therapy with calcium and usually a form of Vitamin D.