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Home » Articles >> Osteoporosis -The Causes, Risk Factors and Preventative Measures |
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Osteoporosis -The Causes, Risk Factors and Preventative Measures
Prevalence of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis affects 1 in every 3 women and 1 in 12 men. 40 people die everyday in the UK due to this disease. It is known as a silent disease because many people do not know they have it until it is too late. Although it is thought of as a disease of old age, the latest research suggests its roots lie in adolescence.
Symptoms and Physiology of Osteoporosis
The bones are made up of a thick outer shell with a honeycomb-like web inside. Osteoporosis occurs when the gaps in this honeycomb become bigger, making the bone fragile and brittle, causing them to break easily. Osteoporosis is a deterioration of the bones that can lead to breaks which are difficult to heal - hence its alternative name, brittle bone disease. The wrists, hips and spine are particularly at risk.
We are all potentially at risk of osteoporosis because of the bone loss that occurs as we get older, especially because we are living longer as a population. There are also many other factors that can increase your risk of osteoporosis such as:
For women:
A lack of Estrogen caused by:
• Early menopause (before age 45)
• Early hysterectomy (before the age of 45), particularly when both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy)
• Missing periods for six months or more (excluding pregnancy) as a result of over-exercising or over-dieting
For men:
• Low levels of the male hormone testosterone (hypogonadism)
For men and women:
• Long-term use of high dose corticosteroid tablets (for conditions such as arthritis and asthma)
• Close family history of osteoporosis (mother or father), particularly if your mother suffered a hip fracture
• Other medical conditions such as Cushing's syndrome and liver and thyroid problems
• Mal-absorption problems (Coeliac disease, Cohn’s disease, gastric surgery)
• Long-term immobility
• Heavy drinking
• Smoking |
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