Risks and Diagnosis of These Stages of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which causes weak, brittle bones that are easily susceptible to fractures, affects millions of Americans each year. Yet there are often no symptoms in the early stages of osteoporosis, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as a “silent” disease. And that means an innocent sneeze, bending over to tie your shoe, or other seemingly harmless movement can set the stage for a serious break.

Fortunately, a bone density scan can help detect osteoporosis early so you can get the treatment you need to avoid a serious injury or bone fracture.

In this article, we’ll highlight common causes of osteoporosis, and consider the four stages of osteoporosis and the bone density changes that occur at each stage.

What Causes Osteoporosis and How Does It Affect Your Bones?

Osteoporosis occurs when our bones become brittle and less dense, which can happen as we age. It can also develop as a result of other factors, addressed below. Bones affected by osteoporosis are weaker and can easily break or fracture due to even minor falls, bumps, or routine movements like bending or twisting.

While osteoporosis affects both men and women, women are at higher risk for the disease, especially past menopause when estrogen levels, which help maintain bone density, decline.

Common osteoporosis causes include:

• Hormonal changes. This occurs most often in women, due to producing lower levels of estrogen as menopause approaches, but can also occur in men with low testosterone levels.
• Getting older. As previously mentioned, our bodies lose bone density as we age.
• Dietary concerns. You can also lose bone mass if you’re not getting enough calcium in your diet.
• Lack of physical activity. Physically active people have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis.

Other factors that put you into a higher risk category for developing osteoporosis include family history of the disease, taking steroids or medications used to treat cancer, and lifestyle choices such as tobacco use and high alcohol consumption. Those of white and Asian descent and people with small body frames are also at higher risk of developing the disease.

The Stages of Osteoporosis

There are four stages of osteoporosis during which the bones become weaker and more fragile over time as bone density decreases, increasing the likelihood of fractures. The first two stages are considered precursors to the disease.

How Does Bone Density Change at Each Stage of Osteoporosis? Symptoms of Osteoporosis Stages 1 – 4

Here’s what you should know about the four stages of osteoporosis.

Stage 1

Your body continually removes old bone and replaces it with new bone throughout your life until about age 40. At stage 1 of osteoporosis, bone loss and bone formation occur at the same rate. New bone formation no longer surpasses bone loss and your body is losing more bone material than it’s making. This stage of osteoporosis has no symptoms.

Stage 2

At stage 2, bone loss is happening faster than bone growth but hasn’t yet reached the osteoporosis range. If you have bone density testing done at this stage you may be diagnosed with osteopenia, or low bone density. Osteopenia can progress into osteoporosis, though it doesn’t always do so. This stage typically has no symptoms.

Stage 3

At stage 3, you officially have osteoporosis, though there may not be any symptoms yet. At this stage, bone loss is outpacing bone formation, and you’re at higher risk for breaks and fractures. During stage 3, you might experience a break from a minor fall or other simple injury that would not have previously caused a fracture.

Stage 4

Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of osteoporosis, and you may start having symptoms. Because the risk of fractures is higher at this point, you may have already experienced one or more fractures. You may also notice changes in your spine due to bone loss, such as slouched or hunched over posture or height loss.

Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?

Osteoporosis cannot be reversed, but it can be managed. Your doctor may prescribe medications, along with diet and lifestyle changes, to help prevent further bone loss and minimize the risk of fractures.

Think You May Be at Risk? Our Internal Medicine Physicians Can Discover and Treat Osteoporosis

Since osteoporosis often doesn’t show symptoms, especially in the early stages, you may not realize you have it until you experience a bone fracture. A bone density test can help us assess your risk for developing osteoporosis and create a treatment plan that’s right for you.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment and we’ll work with you to maintain your bone health.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Sources:

1. Cheng CH, Chen LR, Chen KH. “Osteoporosis Due to Hormone Imbalance: An Overview of the Effects of Estrogen Deficiency and Glucocorticoid Overuse on Bone Turnover.” Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 25;23(3):1376. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8836058/ 

2. Hopkins Medicine:
   https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/osteoporosis/osteoporosis-what-you-need-to-know-as-you-age

3. Medical News Today:
   https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stages-of-osteoporosis

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.