Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by weakened bone strength that predisposes a person to fracture. The term "osteoporosis" literally means "porous bone." It's a bone-weakening disease that puts you at a higher risk for unexpected bone fractures if you have it.

Osteoporosis Symptoms, Causes & Preventions That You Should Know — Osteoporosis Symptoms, Causes & Preventions

The disease often progresses without causing any symptoms or pain, and it isn't discovered until the weakened bones result in painful fractures.

Epidemiology

Osteopenia (low bone mass), osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fractures affect people of all ethnic backgrounds. Low bone mass (osteopenia) affects nearly 34 million Americans, including 50 percent of Asian women, 47 percent of Hispanic women, 45 percent of Native American women, 40 percent of white women, and 28 percent of black women.

Etiology

Disease States

Ovarian failure
Hyperparathyroidism (hyperparathyroidism)
Type 1 diabetes
Calcium imbalance problems
Anorexia nervosa

Chronic liver disease (primary biliary cirrhosis, for example)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Ankylosing spondylitis

Drugs

Proton pump inhibitor therapy for a long time
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Chronic systemic glucocorticoids
Excessive thyroxine
Anticonvulsant therapy

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate

Symptoms

Back pain
Height loss over time
a stooping position
Bone fractures

Causes

The inside of a healthy bone resembles that of a sponge. Trabecular bone is the name for this type of bone. The spongy bone is encased in a dense outer shell. Cortical bone is the name for this hard shell. The "holes" in the "sponge" grow larger and more numerous as osteoporosis progresses, weakening the inside of the bone. Bones provide structural support and protect vital organs.

Bones store calcium and other minerals as well. When the body requires calcium, bone is broken down and rebuilt. Bone remodeling is a process that provides the body with needed calcium while maintaining bone strength.

Up until about the age of 30, you should be able to gain more bone than you lose. After the age of 35, bone breakdown outpaces bone formation, resulting in a gradual loss of bone mass. You lose bone mass at a faster rate if you have osteoporosis. The rate of bone deterioration accelerates after menopause.

Risk Factor

The National Osteoporosis Foundation considers current smoking, low body weight (127 lb in postmenopausal women), a first-degree relative with osteoporosis, and a personal history of low-trauma fracture as an adult to be major risk factors.

Age, high bone turnover, low body mass index (19 kg/m2), rheumatoid arthritis, and glucocorticoid use are all identified as independent risk factors.

Prevention

Don't overindulge in alcohol: consuming more than two drinks per day has been linked to an increased risk of bone loss.
Quit smoking: It doubles your risk of bone loss and fractures by impairing the function of the hormone estrogen in your body.
Bone-Building Exercises: When you exercise your bones, they become stronger, just like your muscles.
Vitamin D and calcium Make Bones: The average adult should consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. If you're over 70 or 50 years old, however, you should aim for 1,200 milligrams.
Reduce your soda consumption: According to some research, colas, more than other carbonated soft drinks, cause bone loss.

Tobacco consumption: Fractures are more likely if you smoke.

Osteoporosis Symptoms, Causes & Preventions That You Should Know