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The Curious Bag
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Osteoporosis, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a disease that causes bones to weaken and become brittle. Its literal meaning is porous bones. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the disease currently affects an estimated ten million Americans.
Causes
According to the NIH, the leading cause of osteoporosis is a drop in estrogen during menopause. Other causes include Cushing syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, excess corticosteroid levels and being bedridden.
Symptoms
Osteoporosis does not cause any significant or painful symptoms in its beginning stages. As it progresses, however, it can cause bone tenderness, bone pain, neck pain, low back pain, easy fracturing of bones and a gradual loss of height.
Risk Factors
Women who previously experienced a condition called amenorrhea, or a prolonged absence of the menstrual cycle, are at a heightened risk for developing osteoporosis. Going through menopause early, having a previous history of an eating disorder, being underweight, smoking regularly, not consuming enough calcium, use of steroids or antiseizure drugs, drinking significant amounts of alcohol regularly and having a family history of osteoporosis also increases a person's risk.
Complications
Osteoporosis makes bones more prone to fractures or breaks, increasing a person's risk of injury. Slipping or falling can cause fractures or extreme pain in the hips, wrists or spine.
Treatment
Some drugs reduce further bone loss and damage, including bisphosphonates, raloxifene, calcitonin, teriparatide and tamoxifen. In 2007, the FDA also approved zoledronic acid, better known as Reclast, as a drug taken annually for treating osteoporosis.
Misconceptions
It is widely believed osteoporosis is a woman's disease, but the National Osteoporosis Foundation reports two million men are currently diagnosed with the disease.
Source:
The Mayo Clinic: Osteoporosis Information
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