Osteoporosis

The standard World Health Organization definition of osteoporosis is that “osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing a person to an increased risk of fracture.” For short, osteoporosis can be defined as brittle-bone, but it is far more complicated than bone fractures and height. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease.

Osteoporosis means porous bones. Osteo- means bones and porous means holes. While all bones have pores in them, osteoporotic bones have wider pores. When the pores widen they become more fragile and more susceptible to breaking. (“Osteoporosis for Dummies“) Normal bones have strong plates and bands, but osteoporotic bones they are thinner and weaker.

There are no actual signs of osteoporosis. Most people learn they have osteoporosis after a fracture or for some after the performing of a biopsy, though it is not common. However, not all people have to wait until their doctor decides to perform a biopsy or until they fracture a bone. There is a new X-ray called the Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), also known as bone densitometry, that can track osteoporosis before the first break. (“Osteoporosis for Dummies”)

Some things that may cause osteoporosis are alcoholism, low calcium and vitamin D intake, poor physical activity, tobacco smoking, diet, aging, heredity and sodas. (wikipedia.com) Vitamin D and calcium are the biggest causes of osteoporosis. Bones are mostly composed of calcium salts. By depleting the intake of calcium the bones are deprived of their ability to grow stronger and develop. By the age 35 you’ve amassed all the bone you will have. Therefore, it is important to start building your bones’ strength early. Your bones shape and remodel themselves throughout life.

Women are at a higher risk for osteoporosis because they start off with less bone mass than men. Women who have gone through menopause are also highly likely to get osteoporosis because of their drop in their estrogen levels. The more your estrogen drops the more rapid your bone mass will drop. (“100 Questions and Answers about Osteoporosis”) This type of osteoporosis is called postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in Caucasians and Asians than Hispanics and African-Americans.

Osteoporosis