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Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized
by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue,
leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures
of the hip, spine, and wrist. Men as well as women suffer from
osteoporosis, a disease that can be prevented and treated.
Osteoporosis can strike at any age. Throughout your
lifetime, old bone is removed (resorption) and new bone is added
to the skeleton (formation). During childhood and teenage years,
new bone is added faster than old bone is removed. As a result,
bones become larger, heavier, and denser. Bone formation continues
at a pace faster than resorption until peak bone mass (maximum
bone density and strength) is reached around age 30. After age
30, bone resorption slowly begins to exceed bone formation. Bone
loss is most rapid in the first few years after menopause but
persists into the postmenopausal years. Osteoporosis develops
when bone resorption occurs too quickly or if replacement occurs
too slowly. Osteoporosis is more likely to develop if you did
not reach optimal bone mass during your bone building years.
Causes of Osteoporosis
A family history of osteoporosis, the foods you eat, your hormone
make-up, your age, and how you live your life all play a role
in causing osteoporosis. Certain factors are linked to the development
of osteoporosis or contribute to an individual's likelihood of
developing the disease. These are called "risk factors."
Many people with osteoporosis have several of these
risk factors, but others who develop osteoporosis have no identified
risk factors. There are some risk factors that you cannot change,
and others that you can:
Risk factors you cannot change include:
· Gender - Your chances of developing osteoporosis
are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissue and
lose bone more rapidly than men because of the changes involved
in menopause.
· Age - the older you are, the greater your
risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become less dense and weaker
as you age.
· Body size - Small, thin-boned women are
at greater risk.
· Ethnicity - Caucasian and Asian women are
at highest risk. African-American and Latino women have a lower
but significant risk.
· Family history - Susceptibility to fracture
may be, in part, hereditary. People whose parents have a history
of fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and may be at
risk for fractures.
Risk factors you can change:
· A lifetime diet low in calcium and vitamin D.
· Anorexia.
· Sex hormones: abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea),
low estrogen level (menopause), and low testosterone level in
men.
· An inactive lifestyle, lack of exercise or extended bed
rest. Apparently, exercise is food for strong bones.
· Use of certain medications, such as glucocorticoids or
some anticonvulsants.
· Cigarette smoking.
· Excessive use of alcohol.
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