Everyone's bones start to lose tissue and become less dense as they
grow older. In some people, this loss of bone tissue is particularly
severe and associated with an increased tendency to bone fractures - a
condition known as Osteoporosis, meaning porous bones. Around one in
three women and one in twelve men over the age of fifty suffer from
osteoporosis in the UK.
Throughout life the tissue making up our bones is constantly broken
down and replaced - a process known as bone turnover. Bone mass reaches
its peak around the age of 25 and then gradually decreases throughout
life as new bone formation fails to keep pace with bone breakdown. This
is a normal part of aging and bone mass usually stays within the
acceptable range for the age group.
Sometimes, however, bone mass falls below this normal range. As bone
becomes more porous it weakens ands tends to fracture more easily,
often after minor knocks and falls. Common sites for bone fractures are
the wrists, spine and hips. Around three million people in the UK are
estimated to suffer from osteoporosis.
What Are The Causes?
We are all more likely to develop osteoporosis as we grow older and our
bone mass decreases. Around 55 per cent of people over the age of 50
have low bone mass, putting them at increased risk of developing the
condition and related fractures. A number of factors can increase your
chances of getting osteoporosis:
Genetics - osteoporosis often runs in families. Genes are
thought
to play a role in determining the peak bone mass achieved and the risk
of getting osteoporosis later in life. Family history does not mean
that the condition is inevitable, however, particularly if those at
risk take preventative measures.
Hormones - women can lose up to 20 per cent of their bone
mass in
the five to seven years following menopause. This increased rate of
depletion is associated with lower estrogen levels. Women who have an
early menopause have a greater risk of developing the condition later
in life because they spend more years with low estrogen levels.
Women with anorexia nervosa may also have reduced estrogen
production and are at increased risk of osteoporosis. A study published
in 1996 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that
50 per cent of young patients with anorexia also had osteoporosis.
Medical conditions and Medications - rheumatoid arthritis
and
some other joint disorders are associated with an increased risk of
osteoporosis. The disease has also been linked to various other medical
diseases, including type 1 diabetes mellitus, an overactive thyroid
gland and chronic liver disease. Corticosteroids and some other drugs
can cause the condition if taken long-term.
Diet and Lifestyle - lack of calcium in the diet,
particularly
during childhood and adolescence, can significantly affect maximum bone
density. The body also needs the full range of vitamins and minerals,
including vitamin D to help absorb calcium. Regular exercise is vital
in order to maintain bone strength and lack of exercise or long-term
immobility is a serious factor. Smoking and excessive drinking can also
increase the chance of suffering from osteoporosis.
What Are The Symptoms?
Most people are unaware that they have osteoporosis until a minor
injury causes a bone fracture. Osteoporosis usually affects all the
bones in the skeleton, but the most common sites for fractures are the
wrists, hips and spine. As well as the pain associated with acute
fractures, the condition may cause rounding of the back or a gradual
loss of height due to fractures of the vertebrae in the spine.
