Summary
Osteoporosis
is the most common bone disease occurring in 1 in 5 women
and about half as many men. There are two types.
Primary osteoporosis occurs as
aging causes an insufficient quantity of calcium and
phosphate to be delivered throughout the body. Secondary osteoporosis occurs at any age
(equally in men and women) as these minerals are lost as a
side effect of medications or some diseases.
In either case, if calcium and phosphate are not delivered in sufficient quantity bone tissue is not produced and, in fact, the body will reabsorb these minerals from existing bone tissue for other needs. This in turn weakens the bones and they become more susceptible to fractures such as the common hip fracture among the elderly. Another common evidence is dowager’s hump (kyphosis) or the stooped posture in the elderly. As the disease progresses the weight bearing vertebrae in the back sustain minute fractures usually going unnoticed until the cumulative effect begins to show with this common evidence of growing older.
A major cause of primary osteoporosis is hormonal imbalance in later years. The drop in estrogen in women after menopause and the drop in testosterone among men alters the way the body assimilates calcium and phosphates. Additional risks factors are being thin and short, heavy use of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and a family history of osteoporosis. These, coupled with a lack of exercise, increase the risk after age 50 for women and age 70 for men.
Secondary osteoporosis may come with long term use of steroids, the anticoagulant heparin, alcohol, or tobacco. Being confined or bedridden, lactose intolerance, or hyperthyroidism can also be causes.
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