OSTEOPOROSIS

The definition of osteoporosis is basically porous bones. Both men and women may suffer from osteoporosis, but it is more common in women, especially after menopause. Throughout one's lifetime the body is constantly breaking down old bone and replacing it with new bone. Through one's early years, the process builds more bone than is taken away. But, unfortunately as one ages, bone breaks down faster than it builds back up. When bone loss is significant. osteoporosis occurs. This makes one more likely to suffer broken bones.

As stated earlier, both men and women may develop osteoporosis, but women are more susceptible due to the fact that their bones are smaller, thinner, and less dense. Postmenopausal women face the greater risk because their estrogen levels fall dramatically at menopause. Both men and women face a greater risk of osteoporosis as they age.

The following can be additional risk factors; a family history of osteoporosis, being thin or having a lower body mass index, a prior fracture, being White or Asian, having certain medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, long-term use of some medications such as antiseizure medication and corticosteroids.

Lifestyle can also be a risk factor. Some lifestyle factors include being sedentary, smoking, heavy consumption of alcohol, a diet low in calcium, vitamin D, or protein.

Our next post will also be about osteoporosis. We will talk about symptoms and diagnosis.

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