Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease or changes in bone structure and strength. This can lead to a loss of bone strength, which can increase the risk of fractures (broken bones).
Osteoporosis is a “silent” disease because you usually don’t have symptoms, and you won’t even know you have it until you break a bone. Osteoporosis is the driving cause of breaks in postmenopausal ladies and more seasoned men. Fractures can occur in any bone but are most common in the hip bones, spine, and vertebrae in the wrist.
However, you can take steps to help prevent disease and fractures:
- Staying physically active by participating in weight-bearing exercises such as walking.
- Drink alcohol in moderation.
- Quitting smoking or not starting if you don’t smoke.
- Taking your medications, if prescribed, can help prevent fractures in people with osteoporosis.
- Eat nutritious foods rich in calcium and vitamin D to help maintain good bone health.
Risk of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis influences ladies and men of all races and ethnic bunches.
Osteoporosis can occur at any age, although the risk of developing the disease increases as you age. In many women, the disease begins a year or two before menopause.
Other factors to consider include:
Osteoporosis is most common in non-Hispanic white ladies and Asian women.
African American and Hispanic ladies have a lower hazard of creating osteoporosis but are still at noteworthy risk. Among men, osteoporosis is more common in non-Hispanic whites.
Certain medications, such as certain cancer drugs and glucocorticoid steroids, can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Because more women than men have osteoporosis, many men believe they are not at risk for the disease. Be that as it may, both more seasoned men and ladies from all foundations are at hazard for osteoporosis.
A rare form of idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis develops in some children and adolescents. Doctors don’t know the cause. However, most children recover without treatment.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is called the “silent” disease because there are usually no symptoms until the bone is broken.
- Symptoms of a vertebral (spinal) fracture include severe back pain, loss of height, or deformity of the spine such as stooping or hunched posture (kyphosis).
- Bones affected by osteoporosis can become so fragile that breakage occurs suddenly or as a result of:
- A minor fall, such as a fall from a standing height that does not normally cause a healthy bone to break.
- Normal stress such as bending, lifting, or even coughing.
Causes of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when too much bone mass is lost and the structure of bone tissue changes. One risk is a bone disease that occurs when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease or changes in bone structure and strength. This can lead to a loss of bone strength, which can increase the risk of fractures (broken bones).
Osteoporosis is the leading cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and older men. Fractures can occur in any bone but are most common in the hip bones, spine, and vertebrae in the wrist.
Components that will increment your chance of osteoporosis include:
- Sex: If you are a woman, you are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Women have lower bone crests and smaller bones than men. In any case, men are still at hazard, particularly after the age of 70.
- Age As you age, bone loss occurs more rapidly, and new bone growth slows. Over time, your bones can weaken and your risk of osteoporosis increases.
- Body size. Thin, thin-boned women and men are at higher risk of osteoporosis because they have fewer bones than larger-boned women and men.
- race White and Asian women are most at risk. African-American and Mexican-American women have a lower risk. White men have a higher risk than African-American and Mexican-American men.
- Family history. Researchers have found that if one of your parents has a history of osteoporosis or a hip fracture, your risk of osteoporosis and fractures may increase.
- Changes in hormones. Moo levels of certain hormones can increase your chances of creating osteoporosis. For example:
- Low estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
Low estrogen levels from the abnormal absence of menstrual periods in premenopausal women due to hormone imbalances or extreme levels of physical activity.
- Low testosterone levels in men. Men with low testosterone are at risk for osteoporosis. However, the gradual decline of testosterone with aging is probably not a major cause of bone loss.
- Food. From childhood and into old age, low intakes of calcium and vitamin D can increase your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Excessive dieting or poor protein intake can increase your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.
- Other medical conditions. Certain medical conditions that you can treat or manage can increase your risk of osteoporosis, such as other endocrine and hormonal diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, some types of cancer, HIV/AIDS, and anorexia nervosa.
Medicines tending to cause osteoporosis
Long-term use of certain medicines can make you more likely to develop bone loss and osteoporosis, such as:
- Glucocorticoids and adrenocorticotropic hormone, which treat various conditions, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Antiepileptic drugs, which treat seizures and other neurological disorders.
- Cancer drugs, which use hormones to treat breast and prostate cancer.
- Proton pump inhibitors, which reduce stomach acid.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which treat depression and anxiety.
- Thiazolidinediones, which treat type II diabetes.
Lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle can be important for keeping bones strong. Factors that contribute to bone loss include:
Low levels of physical activity and long periods of inactivity can contribute to increased rates of bone loss. They also leave you in poor physical condition, which can increase your risk of falling and breaking bones.
Chronic heavy drinking of alcohol is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis.
Studies show that smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Researchers are still studying whether smoking’s effect on bone health is due to tobacco use alone or whether people who smoke have higher risk factors for osteoporosis.