| Osteoporosis is a chronic
disease characterized by low bone mass and density. It
leads to weak, fragile bones and a greatly increased risk
of bone fractures.
Both women and men can develop osteoporosis, but it is
five times more common in women. This is due to the fact
that women achieve a lower peak bone mass than men and
that women loose bone at an accelerated rate for the first
few years following menopause.
There's more than one type of osteoporosis.
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis occurs in women when their
estrogen levels drop, around the time of menopause.
Symptoms of bone loss typically develop between the
ages of 51 and 75, but can occur earlier or later.
Women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the
5-7 years following menopause.
- Senile osteoporosis.
"Senile" osteoporosis simply means the condition
is due to aging. Researchers believe that this condition
is caused by age-related changes in calcium intake
and an imbalance between bone resorption
and formation. It is twice as common in women as men
again due to the difference in peak bone mass and
usually affects people over age 70.
- Secondary osteoporosis.
Secondary osteoporosis occurs as a side effect of
medical condition, such as a thyroid
disorder, or from using certain drugs, including corticosteroids,
barbiturates, anticonvulsants, and excessive amounts
of thyroid hormone. In addition, excessive alcohol
use and cigarette smoking results in increased bone
loss.
- Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis.
Idiopathic
juvenile osteoporosis is a rare condition that sometimes
occurs in children and young adults. These individuals
have normal hormone and mineral levels, and there
is no obvious reason for them to develop weak bones.
Osteoporosis as a Public Health
Threat
Osteoporosis represents a growing public health treat
to millions of people. In the United States alone, 10
million people have osteoporosis and 18 million have
low bone mass, which increases their risk of developing
this disease. Women account for more than 80% of the
people with osteoporosis or at risk of developing it.
Osteoporosis takes a great toll in pain, suffering,
and disability, in addition to the actual monitory costs
involved. It is responsible for more than 1.5 million
bone fractures each year, including:
- 300,000 hip fractures
- 700,000 fractures to the vertebrae
in the spine
- 250,000 wrist fractures
- more than 300,000 fractures at other sites
Symptoms of osteoporosis often don't appear until your
bones become so weak that they either collapse or break.
The first symptoms of collapsed vertebrae may be severe
back pain, a loss of height, or deformities, such as
the "dowager's hump" seen in some older women.
A bone weakened by osteoporosis may break when you have
a fall or even a minor bump.
Don't underestimate the seriousness of a fracture.
About 24% of the people over age 50 who fracture a hip
die within one year. In addition, one-fourth of the
people who were ambulatory
before fracturing a hip need long-term care afterward.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
There are a number of recognized risk factors for osteoporosis.
Some of them you have control over-others you don't.
You'll notice some overlap with the previous list of
factors that affect bone density.
Major Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
| Gender |
Women are at higher risk as they
reach a lower peak bone mass compared to men. |
| Age |
Everyone's risk increases with aging
because bones become weaker and less dense. |
| Body size |
Women with a thin and/or small body
build are at greater risk. |
| Ethnic heritage |
Caucasian and Asian women are at
highest risk, although African American and Latino
women are also at risk. |
| Family history |
People with parents prone to fractures
seem to have lower bone mass and higher fracture
risk. |
| Sex hormones |
Risk is greater in women at menopause
as the production of estrogen by their body is greatly
reduced or in the absence of menstrual periods during
adolescence and adulthood; and in men with low testosterone
levels. |
| Eating disorders |
Anorexia
nervosa and bulimia
increase risk. |
| Diet |
A diet low in calcium and vitamin
D increases risk. |
| Activity level |
People who are not physically active
or who are bedridden for any length of time are
at greater risk. It's best to perform both weight-bearing
and strength
training exercise. |
| Medications |
Use of certain medications, such
as glucocorticoids or some anticonvulsants, increase
risk. |
| Cigarette smoking |
Cigarette smokers are at greater
risk. |
| Alcohol use |
Excessive use of alcohol increases
risk. |
References
View
bone health references list.
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