Osteoporosis: Overview
Clinical
Mind - Osteoporosis
is characterized by a reduction of bone mass in
the body, bringing a host of changes to the body.
Osteo refers to “bones” and “porosis”
to “porous condition”. Osteoporosis
is often referred to as "the silent thief"
as it causes progressive bone loss without any
significant symptoms. Over time, bones become
weak and extremely fragile, which may lead to
disability and resultant complications in human
beings.
Osteoporosis
affects millions of people all over the world,
women are affected nearly 4 times as often as
men. This happens because women have smaller frame
size and begin losing bone density during menopause.
However, both men and women face the risk of losing
bones at the same rate once they reach the age
of 65.
With many studies
done in the field, early detection is possible
with bone mineral density testing. Though all
of the causes of osteoporosis remain unknown,
scientists have identified various risk factors,
which contribute to the development of osteoporosis.
Women of Asian
origin have thinner and small body frames. In
addition, most of them have a family history of
the osteoporosis, which again puts them at an
increased risk of developing the disease. Excessive
alcohol intake is associated with reduce bone
mass, and affects body's ability to retain and
absorb calcium.
Other causes of Osteoporosis
include:
- Chain smoking puts a
person at an increased risk of developing porous
bones
- Due to a fall in physical
activity level or low intake of calcium-rich
diet
- Malnutrition or unstable
health conditions
- Poor absorption of nutrients,
which can occur in conditions including Celiac
disease and Sprue
- Due to low hormone levels
(estrogen) during menopause, or due to untimely
removal of both the ovaries
- Chemotherapy can also
reduce the level of estrogen in a woman having
breast cancer
- Amenorrhea or loss of
the menstrual period in young females as this
also causes low estrogen levels in the body,
and thus leading to osteoporosis
- An excessive intake
of alcohol can also lead to conditions that
trigger osteoporosis in men
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