Osteoporosis is a disorder where the bones become fragile and the risk of breaking the bones increases substantially. This is a disease that is normally seen in older women, especially in women who enter menopause or after menopause. However, even men can be afflicted with osteoporosis. It is estimated that in the United States, 10 million people have osteoporosis, while another 18 million people have low bone density, putting them at a high risk of developing the disease.
When a man or woman has osteoporosis, there are no symptoms and it is quite hard to diagnose. Usually the condition is discovered when the person fractures a bone. In osteoporosis, the bones basically become porous and this leads to weakening of the skeleton. And, the bones at the highest risk of breaking are those of the hip, spine and wrists.
Breaking a bone can really affect the quality of your life. When you sustain a fracture because of osteoporosis, you will be disabled until the fracture heals. In addition, you will have endure pain, lose your independence and find difficulty in performing day to day activities like walking, bathing or shopping. Remember, when you have osteoporosis, even a minor injury or fall can cause a fracture.
What are the causes of osteoporosis?
Here are some of the most common causes and risk factors that are the source of the disease.
o Having a family history of osteoporosis put you at a high risk of developing the disease
o Smoking as it tends to leach the calcium from the bones
o Anorexia nervosa
o Taking certain drugs like steroid for a long period of time
o Consuming too much alcohol
o Low levels of testosterone
o Lack of calcium in the diet
o Inactive lifestyle
Symptoms of Osteoporosis:
The most common symptoms of osteoporosis are as follows:
o Severe back ache
o Fractures
o Dull ache in the bones and/or muscles
o Losing height over a period of time and developing a hunch
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