What Is Osteoporosis and What are Its Main Causes

Although osteoporosis is a devastating and debilitating disease, most experts believe it is highly preventable.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease. It affects the bones in the body by causing them to become structurally weak. This is turn leads to a low bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue, bone fragility and an increase risk for fractures. The hip bone, vertebrae (spine) and wrist are the most susceptible parts of the body to fractures, although this is not always the case.

It is estimated that in America alone over 28 million people over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis, and it is also responsible for the more than 1.5 million fractures. Osteoporosis affects 1 in 2 American women and 1 in 4 American men each year.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease, most people do not even know that they have it and show no warning signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs. Women especially have an increased risk for developing this disease. And although osteoporosis usually strikes a person after the age 50, it can occur at any age.

Osteoporosis In Women

Women are more susceptible to osteoporosis than men, and account for around 80% of all osteoporosis cases. This however does not mean that men do not suffer from this disease. Men suffer osteoporosis from as well, and their risk for this disease doubles after the age of 70.

The main reason behind more women getting osteoporosis is genetics. Men are genetically stronger than women and so have stronger bones; women’s bones on the other hand are relatively thinner and weaker.

Osteoporosis also occurs more often in women because of a decrease in estrogen levels bought about by menopause. In menopause, the body’s estrogen levels naturally slow down and this affects the body’s ability to incorporate calcium from the blood to the bones. Thus making bones weaker.

As mentioned earlier osteoporosis usually occurs without any warning. It is only after one gets has fracture that he/she realizes they have osteoporosis. By then the bones have already become extremely weak and porous. So then how do we find out if we have osteoporosis?

The best way to find out if a person has osteoporosis is to have a bone density test known as “Bone Mass Measurement”. This test will help determine the density of the bones at various places in the body.

This test can;

• Detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs
• Determines the rate of bone loss &
• Predicts a person’s future chances of having a fracture.

A simpler way to see if you have osteoporosis is to check and see if you fall into its risk category.

People Who Are At High Risk For Developing Osteoporosis Include;

• If you are over the age of 50
• A history of fractures after the age of 50.
• Current low bone mass
• History of fractures in a close blood relative (Family history)
• Being female
• Having a thin or small skeletal frame
• Are going through menopause
• Abnormal or absent menstrual periods
• Anorexia
• A low calcium intake
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Use of certain mediations such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsant's
• Low testosterone levels, especially in men
• An inactive lifestyle
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol drinking
• And being Caucasian or Asian. However, osteoporosis also occurs in African and Hispanic people as well.

Women who have menopause can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the first 5 to 7 years following menopause. This is why women need to be extra careful and take care of their bones.

There Are Two Kinds Of Osteoporosis;

Primary Osteoporosis and Secondary Osteoporosis.

Primary Osteoporosis is divided into two types; Type I & Type II.

• Type I Primary Osteoporosis occurs in 5 to 20% of women between the ages of 50 and 75 because of the sudden drop in estrogen level due to menopause. Type I Primary Osteoporosis is also known as high turnover osteoporosis. This is because of the rapid decline in estrogen levels, which causes an abrupt decrease in the calcium levels of the body. Vertebrae or spinal fractures, along with wrist, hip and forearm fractures are normally caused by Type I Primary Osteoporosis. These fractures mostly occur in women.
• Type II Primary Osteoporosis results from the body’s own inability to reabsorb calcium. When this happens bones are no longer strengthen and are more vulnerable to fractures. This type of osteoporosis is also known as low turnover osteoporosis. It affects both men and women and is normally associated with leg and spinal fractures.

- Secondary Osteoporosis occurs due to hormonal imbalances, disease or medications. Medications such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsant's make the bones very weak and more at risk for fractures.