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Osteoporosis
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes your bones to become so thin that they can break during normal daily activities such as lifting a heavy object or rolling over in bed. Whether you develop osteoporosis or loss of bone mass (osteopenia) depends on the thickness of your bones early in life, as well as health, diet, and physical activity later in life.
What causes osteoporosis?
The exact cause of osteoporosis is not known. However, osteoporosis has been linked to the natural process of aging and to the decreased production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men.
Not getting adequate calcium and phosphorus—two minerals needed to build strong bones—and vitamin D has also been linked to the development of osteoporosis.
Who gets osteoporosis?
Both men and women can develop osteoporosis as they age, although women who have gone through menopause are at greatest risk. Women have less bone mass than men and lose bone mass sooner and faster than men. Women of European and Asian ancestry are more likely to have osteoporosis than those from other backgrounds.
People who take corticosteroids for longer than 6 months are also at increased risk for developing osteoporosis. Most men who develop osteoporosis do so as a result of long-term treatment with corticosteroids.
Osteoporosis is rare in children and teens.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Symptoms include:
- Back pain.
- Getting shorter in height.
- A curved backbone (dowager's hump).
- Broken bones, especially the hip, small bones in the spine (vertebrae), and wrist.
How is osteoporosis diagnosed?
Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed by evaluating your medical history, physical examination, and bone density testing. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is very important. If you are at risk for osteoporosis, you need to be screened before symptoms, such as broken bones, occur.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Treatment for osteoporosis includes eating a diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D, getting regular exercise, and taking medication to reduce bone loss and increase bone thickness. Even small changes in diet, exercise, and medication can help prevent a broken bone.
Can osteoporosis be prevented?
The process of bone thinning is a natural part of aging and cannot be completely stopped. However, osteoporosis can be reduced or delayed through the practice of healthy lifestyle habits, such as not smoking, eating a nutritious diet, and getting regular exercise, which helps build and strengthen the bones early in life. Although it is best to start during the teen years, adults who follow these habits can prevent or reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis.
Virtual Classroom Content Copyright (c) 2006, MDNetlink.com. All rights reserved.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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