What is Osteoporosis?
The World Health Organization has defined "What is Osteoporosis" as bone mineral density 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass, in a 20 year old of the same sex measured by DXA (a radiological procedure). The DXA is the gold standard in diagnosis of osteoporosis. More important than treatment for osteoporosis is prevention (see Delay the Onset of Osteoporosis) because it is the best way to reduce the risk of fracture. Bone mass density peaks between the ages of 25 and 35. Physical activity see Exercise to Prevent Osteoporosis has the greatest impact for laying down strong bone during the teen years. Adults can help maintain and increase bone mass density by one or 2% by using physical activity as well. If the value of your peak bone mass is high at age 25 then the bone loss you suffer as you age will be lower. The underlying mechanism in the formation of osteoporosis is the difference between bone reabsorption (which normally occurs) and bone formation. During osteoporosis the bone is a reabsorbed more quickly or is formed more slowly than is normal. Most cases of osteoporosis do not result from inadequate calcium but instead from other factors such as a lack of vitamins, cigarette smoking, sedentary lifestyle, family history and age. Once an individual has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, restoration of the microstructure of the bone is difficult to repair. Although there are medications which have been shown to increase bone mass density they do not make an impact on the microstructure and therefore the stability of the bone itself. Bone loss can be reduced but it can not be replaced. There are two types of bone: trabecular and cortical. The trabecular bone appears spongelike and is in the core of the long bones which helps to provide the stability and is where bone formation occurs. Cortical bone is a hard exterior shell which provides the majority of the stability. When osteoporosis is diagnosed doctors find that the trabecular bone is the section that suffers the greatest amount of bone loss. The hip bone, spine and wrists are the area of the body which have the most trabecular bone and are at the greatest risk for bone fractures. An individual who suffers a fracture related to osteoporosis places themselves at a higher risk for developing another one. An individual who has a hip fracture will often result in decreased mobility. In the year following a hip fracture 20% of these sufferers will die. While there are risk factors that can be controlled or preventative measures that can be taken there are some that cannot be changed such as a family history of osteoporosis, a history of bone breakage as an adult, advanced age or European or Asian ancestry. Risk factors that can be controlled are the use of steroids, cigarettes, low calcium and vitamin D intake, alcoholism and poor health. Osteoporosis will cross genders, age and socio-economic levels. All individuals are at risk, some more than others. By making a change in your overall health and taking preventative measures many individuals are able to offset the diagnosis, delay the progression or prevent the disease altogether. Hopefully you can answer the question "What is Osteoporosis" and what the
causes of osteoporosis
are after reading this article and help prevent you from ever suffering from this disease.
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