Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to become so thin that they can

break during normal daily activities such as lifting a heavy object or rolling over in bed.

Whether someone will develop osteoporosis or loss of bone, known as osteopenia,

depends on the thickness of the bones early in life, as well as health, diet, and physical

activity later in life.

The exact cause of osteoporosis is not known. However, osteoporosis has been linked

to the natural process of aging and to the decreased production of estrogen in women and

testosterone in men. Not getting adequate calcium and phosphorous , two minerals

needed to build strong bones and vitamin D has also been linked to the development of

osteoporosis.

Men and women can develop osteoporosis as they age, although women who have

gone through menopause are at greatest risk. Women have less bone mass than men and

lose bone mass sooner and faster than men. Women develop osteoporosis almost four

times more often than men. Women of European and Asian ancestry are

more like to have osteoporosis than those from other backgrounds. Osteoporosis is rare

in children and teens.

Risks factors for osteoporosis for developing osteoporosis in both men and women

have been identified. Family history of osteoporosis makes you more likely to develop

osteoporosis. Lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to the disease.

Smokers are at higher risk for osteoporosis . How smoking causes bone thinning is not

known however. Getting little or no weight-bearing exercise can contribute to the

develop of the disease. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, stair climbing,

dancing, or lifting weights keep bones strong and healthy by working the muscles and

bones against gravity. People with a thin body build are at greater risk. Slender people

are more likely to develop the disease because they have less bone tissue and less fat than

heavier people. Fat tissue stores estrogen, which helps protect women from osteoporosis.

A diet low in food containing calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D also contribute to

development of the disease.

Certain medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, put you at greater risk. Taking

corticosteroids to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease for

a period of six months or longer can lead to steroid-induced osteoporosis. Many men

develop the disease do so as a result of using these types of medications.

Other risks factors may include overusing antacids that contain aluminum. Antacids

that contain aluminum remove phosphorus and calcium from the body, causing faster-

than-normal bone thinning. Excessive dieting or eating disorders, such as anorexia

nervosa is another risk factor, People with eating disorders usually have low body fat and

therefore low levels of estrogen, which increases their risks. Female athletes are at risk for

developing osteoporosis if they have infrequent menstrual cycles due to low body fat.

This leads to weaker bones.

Women who have completed menopause have the greatest risk for osteoporosis. An

important risk factor that is specific to postmenopausal women is low estrogen level.

Decreasing levels of estrogen occur during menopause. In addition, women who no

longer have menstrual periods, either because their ovaries are not working properly or

because their ovaries have been removed through surgery, are more likely to develop

osteoporosis. Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain, getting shorter in height, a

curved backbone, broken bones, especially the hip, small bones in the spine, vertebrae, and

wrist.

Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed by evaluating medical history, and a physical

examination and bone density testing. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is very important.

If someone is at risk for osteoporosis, they should be screened before symptoms, such as

broken bones, occur. If osteoporosis is suspected from the medical history and physical

examination, a bone mineral density test may be done. X-rays are not done to check for

osteoporosis. Bone loss is not seen on an X-ray until at least 25% of bone is lost

according to the Journal of Medicine. Some doctors suggest a bone mineral density test

for all women over 65 years of age, while others suggest that such test be given on an

individual basis, depending on the person's risks factors for the disease.

Bone thinning is an inevitable part of growing older. After the age of about 30, bone

thinning is a natural process and cannot be stopped completely. If you eat a healthy diet

and exercise regularly early in like, you may be able to delay the development of

osteoporosis. Adults who have the disease