Osteoporosis, also known as bone loss, is a decrease in bone density and a loss of bone mass. This increases the risk of fractures or bone fractures. Osteoporosis is usually only diagnosed when you are already suffering from pain, as the development of osteoporosis is a very gradual process. According to studies, multiple sclerosis patients have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. We explain the connections in this article.

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Osteoporosis in Multiple Sclerosis:
Risks, relationships and influencing factors

Around six million people in Germany suffer from osteoporosis. The number of unreported cases may be higher, as osteoporosis often remains undetected. A 10-fold increase in the incidence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was observed in multiple sclerosis patients. Osteopenia is a preform of osteoporosis in which the density of bones decreases.
It is assumed that various factors such as a genetic connection, lack of exercise, diet, long-term glucocorticoid therapy or even low levels of vitamin D in the blood may be responsible for an increased risk of osteoporosis. 60% of MS patients fall within 6 months. 60% of these falls involve injuries. This is due, among other things, to the limited mobility of MS patients in some cases and a correspondingly higher risk of falls and therefore fractures.
In addition, there is also an increased risk of side effects of drugs such as benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants or antidepressants.

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Osteoporosis and Menopause

Estrogen production decreases during women's menopause. Estrogen in turn helps to promote bone formation in the body. If less estrogen is produced during menopause, there is therefore also an increased risk of osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy is often used during menopause. This contributes to bone health with an anti-aging effect. In our video on menopause, we go into more detail about hormone replacement therapy:

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Measures against and in case of osteoporosis

There are a number of different factors that can contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Even those who are not ill with osteoporosis can make preventive changes to these factors in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. These factors include:

smoking
‍Smoking not only has a negative effect on the risk of osteoporosis. Smoking, as we all know, triggers a number of negative processes in our body. It has even been proven that smoking has a negative effect on MS and the entire body. Smoking promotes osteoporosis because the blood vessels constrict and the bone is no longer adequately supplied with nutrients.

liquor
‍Alcohol should only be drunk to a healthy extent. The focus should always be on enjoyment. Excessive alcohol consumption harms your body and promotes osteoporosis by preventing specific cells (“osteoblasts”) from helping build bone. Alcohol and nicotine are the two most common legal drugs in Germany with high addictive potential.

movement
‍We tend to move less and less. Starting with office jobs where people sit all day - after that, there is often no time and motivation for a walk or sport. It is important for everyone to incorporate regular exercise into everyday life. Among other things, exercise and sport stimulate bone metabolism and maintain our mobility. It is also a proven factor in preventing osteoporosis and the risk of fractures.

vitamin D deficiency
‍In our latitudes, almost all people suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This does not only affect MS patients. Especially in the autumn and winter months, when it is often grey and rainy outside, you have a vitamin D deficiency. As a result, calcium deficiency also occurs over time, as vitamin D ensures that we can absorb calcium from food. Calcium is involved in bone formation and provides the backbone of the bone, which ensures stability. You can absorb vitamin D through sunlight (15-20 minutes a day with arms free) or through food. Foods such as fish, eggs, avocados and mushrooms help our body produce vitamin D.

Drug treatment options
‍In addition to being able to include more calcium and vitamin D in your diet to counteract osteoporosis, there are of course also drug treatment options. However, these should definitely be discussed with the treating doctor.

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