Osteoporosis
Causes
Source: NHS
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Osteoporosis causes bones to become less dense and more fragile. Some people are more at risk than others.
Bones are at their thickest and strongest in your early adult life and their density increases until your late 20s. You gradually start losing bone densityfrom around the age of35.
This happensto everyone, but some peopledevelop osteoporosis and lose bone density much faster than normal. This means they're at greater risk of a fracture.
Risk groups
Osteoporosis can affect men and women.It's more common in older people, but it can also affect younger people.
Women
Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis than men becausethe hormone changes that occur in the menopause directly affect bone density.
The female hormone oestrogen is essential for healthy bones. After the Testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism) (when monthly periods stop), oestrogen levels fall. This canlead to a rapid decrease in bone density.
Women are at even greater risk of developing osteoporosis if they have:
- anearly menopause (before the age of 45)
- a hysterectomy (removal of the womb) before the age of 45, particularly when the ovaries are also removed
- absent periods for more than six months as a result of overexercising or too much dieting
Men
In most cases, the cause ofosteoporosis in men is unknown. However, there's a link to the male hormone testosterone, which helps keep the bones healthy.
Men continue producingtestosterone into old age, but the risk of osteoporosis is increased inmen with low levels of testosterone.
In around half of men, the exact cause of low testosterone levelsis unknown, but known causes include:
- the use of certain medications, such as oral corticosteroids
- alcohol misuse
- hypogonadism(a condition that causes abnormally low testosterone levels)
Risk factors
Many hormones in the body can affect the process of bone turnover. If you have a conditionof the hormone-producing glands, you may have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.
Hormone-related conditions that can trigger osteoporosis include:
- hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- disorders of the adrenal glands, such as Cushing's syndrome
- reducedamounts of sex hormones (oestrogen and testosterone)
- disorders of the pituitary gland
- hyperparathyroidism (overactivity of the parathyroid glands)
Other risk factors
Other factors thought toincrease the risk of osteoporosis and broken bones include:
- a family history of osteoporosis
- a parental history of hip fracture
- a body mass index (BMI) of 19 or less
- long-term use of high-doseoral corticosteroids (widely used for conditions such as arthritis and asthma ), which can affect bone strength
- having an eating disorder , such as anorexia or bulimia
- heavy drinking and smoking
- rheumatoid arthritis
- malabsorption problems, as experienced in coeliac disease and Crohn's disease
- some medications used to treat breast cancer and prostate cancer which affect hormone levels
- long periods of inactivity, such as long-term bed rest
You can read more about who's at risk of osteoporosis and broken bones on the National Osteoporosis Society website .
Articles for Osteoporosis
Causes
Osteoporosis causes bones to become less dense and more fragile. Some people are more at risk than others.
Introduction
Read about osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break. Osteopenia is also a term used for bone density loss
Living with
Having osteoporosis doesn't mean you'll definitely have a fracture. There are measures you can take to reduce your risk of a fall or break.
Patient story: "Even lying in bed was uncomfortable."
Phyllis Long, aged 60, was recently diagnosed with osteoporosis after months of experiencing upper back pain.
Patient story: "Talking to other people helps me deal with my pain."
Bob Rees was diagnosed with osteoporosis after collapsing in pain on a family holiday.
Prevention
Your genes are responsible for determining your height and the strength of your skeleton, but lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise influence how healthy your bones are.
Treatment
Treating osteoporosis involves treating and preventing fractures and using medication to strengthen bones.
