What Is Osteoporosis?
Low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that leads to weak and fragile bones. The risk of a fracture is greatly increased. Often there are no symptoms as the first fracture occurs.
Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. But white and Asian women — especially older women who are past menopause — are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.
Low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that leads to weak and fragile bones. The risk of a fracture is greatly increased. Often there are no symptoms as the first fracture occurs.
Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. But white and Asian women — especially older women who are past menopause — are at highest risk. Medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise can help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.
Signs & Symptoms
There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may have signs and symptoms that include:
- Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
- Loss of height over time
- A stooped posture
- A bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected
Causes/Risk Factors
•lack of calcium/ vitamin D throughout their lives
•broken a bone after age of 50
• Ethnicity (white and Asian women are at greater risk than women in other ethnic groups).
• Low body weight (under 127 pounds for women)
• Low estrogen levels (women and men); low testosterone (men)
• Eating disorders
• Lack of exercise (or excessive exercise that leads to missed menstrual periods during a woman’s premenopausal years)
• Ongoing use of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids like prednisone, anticonvulsants, or some medications used to treat prostate or breast cancer
•Intaking corticosteroids are a common cause of osteoporosis
• In men- risk factors for osteoporosis in men are excessive alcohol intake (3 or more drinks a day), use of corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) and hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency).
•broken a bone after age of 50
• Ethnicity (white and Asian women are at greater risk than women in other ethnic groups).
• Low body weight (under 127 pounds for women)
• Low estrogen levels (women and men); low testosterone (men)
• Eating disorders
• Lack of exercise (or excessive exercise that leads to missed menstrual periods during a woman’s premenopausal years)
• Ongoing use of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids like prednisone, anticonvulsants, or some medications used to treat prostate or breast cancer
•Intaking corticosteroids are a common cause of osteoporosis
• In men- risk factors for osteoporosis in men are excessive alcohol intake (3 or more drinks a day), use of corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) and hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency).
Complications
Bone fractures, particularly in the spine or hip, are the most serious complication of osteoporosis. Hip fractures often are caused by a fall and can result in disability and even an increased risk of death within the first year after the injury.
In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven't fallen. The bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) can weaken to the point that they may crumple, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched forward posture.
In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you haven't fallen. The bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) can weaken to the point that they may crumple, which can result in back pain, lost height and a hunched forward posture.
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-Antiresorptive medication, which slow bone loss; and anabolic medication, which increase the rate of bone formation. |
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