Osteoporosis is an illness characterized by a decrease in the density of bone and loss of bone tissue, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones. Osteoporosis makes your bones weak and more likely to break. Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older women.

Causes:

Osteoporosis occurs when there is an imbalance between new bone formation and old bone resorption. The body may fail to form enough new bone, or too much old bone may be reabsorbed, or both. Two essential minerals for normal bone formation are calcium and phosphate. Throughout youth, the body uses these minerals to produce bones. Calcium is essential for proper functioning of the heart, brain, and other organs. To keep those critical organs functioning, the body reabsorbs calcium that is stored in the bones to maintain blood calcium levels. If calcium intake is not sufficient or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissue may suffer. Thus, the bones may become weaker, resulting in brittle and fragile bones that can break easily. Cited: emedicinehealth, 2010.

Symptoms

Osteoporosis can be present without any symptoms for decades because osteoporosis doesn't cause symptoms until bone fractures. Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You might not know you have it until you break a bone. A bone mineral density test is the best way to check your bone health.

Risk factors include:

• Getting older or women who are postmenopausal
• Being small and thin
• Having a family history of osteoporosis  
• Being a white or Asian woman
• Having osteopenia, which is low bone mass
• Smoking, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, low amounts of calcium in the diet, excessive alcohol consumption, inactive lifestyle, and use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants, are also risk factors.

 Prevention

Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defence against developing osteoporosis later.

There are four steps to prevent osteoporosis. One step alone is not enough to prevent osteoporosis.

• To  keep your bones strong, eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Engage in weight-bearing exercise.
• Strive for a healthy lifestyle, do not smoke and limit your alcohol intake.
• If needed, take medication to improve bone density.

Sources:

• Medicinenet
• Osteoporosis
• NLM
• Emedicinehealth

Page Updated: 07 March 2011

by Zanele Matshotyana