Osteoporosis

In Greek, Osteo means "bone" and porosis mean a "porous condition".
In osteoporosis the bone mass in the body becomes reduced or porous like and the skeletal system of your body is deeply affected and brings about a lot of changes to your system.

Osteoporosis is defined as that category of decreased bone mass where the disturbance is a failure of the osteoblasts to lay down bone matrix. Three factors which influence osteoblastic activity are. steroidal hormones, mechanical stresses and strains, and nitrogenous building blocks. I have told you more about osteoporosis than I know. What I have told you is subject to change without notice. I hope I have raised more questions than I have given answers. In any case, as usual, a lot more work is needed. -Fuller Albright,1947

Osteoporosis is often known as "the silent thief" because bone loss occurs without symptoms and the progressive loss and thinning of bone tissue happens over many years. This disease affects millions of people throughout the world. Women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease. Bones are living, growing tissue in the body. It is made mostly of collagen, a protein that provides a soft framework, and calcium phosphate, a mineral that adds strength and hardens the framework. This combination of collagen and calcium makes bone strong yet flexible to withstand stress. More than 99% of the body's calcium is contained in the bones and teeth. The remaining 1% is found in the blood.

Women, of Asian race having thin and small body frames, and a family history of osteoporosis are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

Excess consumption of alcohol reduces bone formation and interferes with the body's ability to absorb calcium.

Excessive smoking can lead to prous bones.

Lack of exercise, and a diet low in calcium.

Poor nutrition and poor health condition.

Malabsorption (nutrients are not properly absorbed from the gastrointestinal system) from conditions such as Celiac disease and Sprue.

Low estrogen levels occur in menopause or with early surgical removal of both ovaries.

Another cause of low estrogen level is chemotherapy, such as for breast cancer.

Amenorrhea (loss of the menstrual period) in young women also causes low estrogen and osteoporosis.

Chronic alcoholism. Alcoholism is one of the highest risk factors for osteoporosis in men.