MEDICAL INSIDER
DR CORA LIM
FOR SEPT 17, 2027
OSTEOPOROSIS
(Part 1)
What is Osteoporosis?
It is a condition that makes the bones fragile. There are
usually no symptoms, and it’s often only discovered when
you break a bone in a minor accident or fall.
Bone is a living tissue, but as we get older, it’s not able to
renew itself as well and our bones start to thin.
This happens to everybody to some degree, and when the
bones become fragile it’s called osteoporosis.
Who is at risk?
Osteoporosis is more common in women, particularly after
the menopause period.
You are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis if you:
Have steroid treatment for more than three months
Have a family history of osteoporosis
Don’t do much weight-bearing exercise
Are a heavy drinker or smoker
Have a low body weight
Have an early menopause (before the age of 45)
Had your ovaries removed/surgery
How can I help myself?
The following will help to reduce your risk of developing
osteoporosis:
Plenty of calcium and vitamin D as part of a well-
balanced diet dairy products such as milk, cheese and
yogurt
Exercise regularly, especially activities that involve
walking or running
Stop smoking
Don’t drink too much alcohol
Who is the right person to treat you?
A RHEUMATOLOGIST IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO TREAT
YOU. Your rheumatologist would advise you a special test
“DEXA or DXA SCAN” (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
for diagnosis. This test measures bone density. The possible
results are:
Normal-risk of a low-impact fracture is low
Osteopenia – Your bone is weaker but your risk of a low-
impact fracture is relatively small
Osteoporosis- You have a greater risk of low-impact
fractures and you may need treatment – discuss this with
your doctor
This test is done before starting treatment and later at 2-5
years intervals as per your doctor’s advice. (To be continued)