Osteoporosis refers to a disease that is characterized by reduced bone mass as well as bone tissue deterioration. The disease results in an increase in the fragility of the bone and increases the chances of bone fracture. The bones that are at risk of breaking include bones of the spine, hips, shoulders and wrist. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as a silent thief since the loss of bone mass occurs with no symptoms appearing. Incidents of fractures resulting from osteoporosis occur more often than a combination of stroke, heart attack and breast cancer. The disease is also the most common bone disease (Osteoporosis Canada).
Bone is made up of living tissues that are constantly being replaced by other new tissues. The osteoporosis takes place when there are no enough new bone tissues, when too much of the bone is reabsorbed, or both. Some of the essential elements that are necessary for the formation of bones are vitamin D and calcium. Lack of these elements or when the body fails to absorb enough calcium that is in the diet, there are chances that the bones will become brittle and have an increased chance of fracturing. The groups of people who are more likely to develop bone loss are the Caucasian women. In some instances the tendency to experience bone loss and having thin bones is something that is passed down through families (ADAM). Those with parents or relatives who have or had osteoporosis are more likely to suffer from the disease. Women especially those who have reached menopause and men at an age above 50 years are the people at a greater risk of bone loss. These women have a reduced level of estrogen while the men have a dropped level of testosterone. Those women who have a delayed menopause have a reduced chance of developing osteoporosis when they are compared to women who have an early menopause.
Other people who are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis are those who are confined to a bed, people with different medical conditions as well as those under medication. Absence of menstrual period for a long time may also be a factor that may result to osteoporosis. Excessive consumption of alcohol, low body weight, and smoking are other risk factors that have been associated with osteoporosis (ADAM).
Women have a greater risk for osteoporosis than men since they start life having a bone life that is lower than that of men. The higher risk in women than in men is due to the reduced estrogen that increases the speed of bone loss. The older people are at an increased risk of the disease than younger individuals as the mass of bone reduces as one gets old. There is also a link between people with HIV/AIDS and the development of osteoporosis. Those suffering from the disease are believed to suffer easily from osteoporosis than those who are negative. A lot of people who are surviving gastric cancer may be in a greater risk of having multiple fractures later in life. Those people with a small frame as well as those who are very thin are at a higher risk of having osteoporosis when they grow old than people with a big frame. This is because people with a small frame have a bone mass that is lower than others and this mass starts to fall as they age (Nordqvist).
People who have or had eating disorders are at a greater risk of having osteoporosis. People with cardiovascular disease, as well as Alzheimer's disease are also at an increased level of having osteoporosis. However, the development of the disease is contributed by some of lifestyle factors like the diet taken as well as the extent of having physical activity. These activities determine the development of bone when people are young and the rate of bone mass loss later in life (Nordqvist).
Osteoporosis prevention starts with the optimum growth and development of bones when people are young. This can be done by the ensuring that children and adolescent have a nutritious diet that is full of enough calcium. They should also avoid having protein malnutrition nutrients. This age group should also maintain a constant adequate supply of vitamin D to their body while undertaking regular physical activity. There is also the need to avoid either smoking or incidents of second-hand smoking. The bone mass that is acquired when people are young is crucial determinants of how soon an osteoporotic fracture occurs later in life. Those who attain a high level of bone mass are the ones who are at a lower risk of having osteoporosis (International Osteoporosis Foundation).
For adults, the process of bone resorption is more important than bone formation and any factor that may lead to an increased rate bone remodeling will result in a rapid loss of bone mass. Similar nutritional as well as lifestyle advices are useful in maintaining the proper bone mass. These include making sure that one is taking a nutritious diet with enough calcium, having no severe weight loss or eating disorders, maintaining an adequate vitamin D supply, not smoking and avoiding heavy drinking (International Osteoporosis Foundation).
Works Cited
ADAM. Osteoporosis - overview. 2012. 26 May 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001400/#adam_000360.disease.causes>.
International Osteoporosis Foundation. Preventing Osteoporosis. 2013. 26 May 2013. <http://www.iofbonehealth.org/preventing-osteoporosis>.
Nordqvist, Christian. What Is Osteoporosis? What Causes Osteoporosis? 2009. 26 May 2013. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155646.php>.
Osteoporosis Canada. What is Osteoporosis? 2012. 25 May 2013. <http://www.osteoporosis.ca/osteoporosis-and-you/what-is-osteoporosis/>.
