Osteoporosis

OSTEOPOROSIS OVERVIEW

Osteoporosis results in brittleness of bones, so brittle that a slight fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a damage to bones. Human body regularly replaces the components of your bones. When those components are lost too rapidly or not replenished quickly enough, osteoporosis occurs. More prone in woman but possibilities  for men cannot be ruled out.

Osteoporosis is often called the silent disease because there are merely any noticeable cause symptoms. Typically, you may not even know you have the disease until you break a bone.  Osteoporosis can be a prime cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and in aged men. Fractures can occur in any bone but more  prominent  in bones of hip, vertebrae in the spine, and wrist.

CAUSES L Several factors appear to increase the risk of developing the disease:

01. Age. Risk increases after 50
02. Gender. Women are 4 times more likely to develop osteoporosis
03, Race. The disease can affect anyone, but white and Asian women are most at risk.
04. Menopause. Estrogen deficiency causes bone loss
05. Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
06. Weight: Low body weight, or being small and thin
07. Vitamin Deficiency Not getting enough calcium or vitamin D. Not eating enough fruits and vegetables for other nutrients (magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and K)
09. Not getting enough protein
10. Addiction Consuming too much alcohol, sodium or caffeine
11. Activity Having an inactive lifestyle
12. Osteoporosis-related breaks most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine. 
13. Smoking: tobacco use alone or if people who smoke have more risk factors for osteoporosis. Researchers are still studying if the impact of smoking on bone health is from
14. A research and studies suggest that among those 50 and older:

• Up to 1 in 2 women will break a bone due to osteoporosis — equal to the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined.
• Up to 1 in 4 men will break a bone due to osteoporosis — a risk greater than prostate cancer.

15. Medications. Long-term use of certain medications may 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 medicines, which treat seizures and other neurological disorders.
• Cancer medications, which use hormones to treat breast and prostate cancer.
• Proton pump inhibitors, which lower stomach acid.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which treat depression and anxiety.
• Thiazolidinediones, which treat type II diabetes.

16. Lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can be important for keeping bones strong. Factors that contribute to bone loss include:

SYMPTOMS 

1. Broken bones (mainly hips, spine or wrists), even from minor falls or bumps
2. Collapsed vertebrae — leading to severe pain, a decrease in height or a spine deformity
3. Such symptoms can also come from other bone disorders or medical problems. 

RISK FACTORS

Osteoporosis occurs when too much bone mass is lost and changes occur in the structure of bone tissue. Certain risk factors may lead to the development of osteoporosis or can increase the likelihood that you will develop the disease.

Many people with osteoporosis have several risk factors, but others who develop osteoporosis may not have any specific risk factors. There are some risk factors that you cannot change, and others that you may be able to change. However, by understanding these factors, you may be able to prevent the disease and fractures.

TREATMENTS

Fortunately, osteoporosis is preventable. When it does occur, your doctor can diagnose and treat it before it causes a broken bone. Even after a fracture, further problems are avoidable with the right steps.

STATISTICS

Osteoporosis affects more than 10 million Americans.