Osteoporosis can change your life in many other ways, aside from its effects on your bones. Some effects of osteoporosis on quality of life can include
anxiety and depression
reduced self-image
limitations in the ability to work and enjoy leisure activities
acute or chronic pain
difficulties in performing the activities of daily life
loss of independence
changes in relationships with family and friends.
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Emotional Impacts of Osteoporosis
If you are nervous about the risk of breaking a bone when you go out to crowded places such as malls, movie theaters, or museums, try going at less crowded times. Take breaks and sit down when you feel tired.
If you have been feeling symptoms of depression—such as loss of appetite, hopelessness, feeling useless and helpless, or having thoughts of suicide—for more than 2 weeks, consult a doctor, social worker, or therapist. Medications and counseling are available to fight depression. See information on depression and older adults.
If you are feeling self-conscious about changes in your appearance, such as the curvature (kyphosis) that occurs in the upper spine after multiple vertebral fractures, look for styles of clothing that minimize figure changes.
Functional and Physical Aspects of Osteoporosis
If you have trouble working, doing chores around the house, or other routine activities such as grocery shopping, try breaking them into short segments. Get up from sitting every half hour or so to ease muscle strain and reposition your skeleton. Also be aware of your posture, and avoid bending and twisting at the same time.
Look for ways to modify sports and leisure activities that you enjoy to protect your bones, or cultivate new forms of physical activity that put less stress on your skeleton. For more on exercise and osteoporosis, visit Go4Life®, the exercise and physical activity campaign for older adults from the National Institute on Aging at NIH.
If you experience pain after a fracture, try such pain-relief strategies as hot and cold compresses, biofeedback, and other relaxation strategies. Avoid long periods of inactivity or bed rest, which will worsen osteoporosis. Consult your health care professional about the use of analgesics such as acetaminophen.
For chronic (long-term) back pain or tiredness caused by fractures in the spine, consult a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist for exercises to strengthen the back muscles, which may minimize or relieve pain. You will need to continue these exercises faithfully to maintain their benefits.
Support groups, friends, and family members can help you manage the social challenges and limitations resulting from osteoporosis.
Don't be afraid to ask others for help in dealing with the effects of osteoporosis on your life. For example, you may need to ask a family member, friend, or neighbor to help you bring groceries into your house or apartment. Find ways to give to others who help you so that you do not feel forced to choose between feeling that you are taking too much help and not taking any help at all.
Remember that it is normal to want and need help from others as well as to help other people. You can work to keep relationships balanced so that no one does most of the taking over a long period of time, and keep in mind that we all help others throughout life. Friends and family are probably happy to help you, just as you feel good when you help others.
Concern about experiencing or causing fractures can affect intimate relations between a husband and wife when one or both of you have osteoporosis. Although these topics can be difficult to discuss, couples can look for ways to achieve intimacy without increasing fracture risk. Most physical therapists have been trained to address this issue and can offer advice.
