Osteoporosis is a disease that causes loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissues. This leads to weakening of the bones and makes them more likely to break. The bones most often affected are hips, spine, and wrists.
Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans over the age of 50. Women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. For some, the first sign of osteoporosis is a sudden fracture caused by a fall, minor bump, or simply from getting up or bending over.
Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of bone loss in women during and after menopause. Women may lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the 5-7 years following menopause.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Although the exact medical cause for osteoporosis is unknown, a number of factors contribute to osteoporosis:
- Aging
- Body weight: Obesity is associated with a higher bone mass; therefore, people who weigh less and have less muscle are more at risk for developing osteoporosis.
- Race: White and Asian women are most at risk
- Lifestyle factors, including physical inactivity, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, poor diet, and calcium and vitamin D deficiencies
- Medications
- Family history of bone disease
How is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of osteoporosis starts with completing a personal and family medical history and physical examination, followed by X-rays, bone density testing and blood tests. From this information, a physician can often evaluate a patient’s risk of future fractures and develop a treatment plan on how to reduce any additional bone loss.
