Osteoporosis on its own would not be a significant disease, were it not for the falls which precipitate fractures.
Estrogen deficiency following menopause causes a rapid reduction in Bone Mineral Density (BMD). This, plus the increased risk of falling associated with aging, leads to fractures of the wrist, spine and hip.
Other hormone deficiency states can lead to osteoporosis, such as testosterone deficiency.
If you have too much thyroxine in your body as a result of problems with your thyroid gland, this can also lead to osteoporosis.
Lastly, calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency from malnutrition increases the risk of osteoporosis.
Bone mass peaks in both men and women between the ages of 25 and 35, thereafter diminishing. Achieving a higher peak bone mass through exercise and proper nutrition during adolescence is important for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Bone remodeling is heavily influenced by nutritional and hormonal factors. Calcium and vitamin D are nutrients required for normal bone growth.
The loss of estrogen following menopause causes a phase of rapid bone loss. Similarly, testosterone levels in men diminish with advancing age and are related to male osteoporosis.
Physical activity causes bone remodeling. People who remain physically active throughout life have a lower risk of osteoporosis. Conversely, people who are bedridden are at a significantly increased risk. Physical activity has its greatest impact during adolescence, affecting peak bone mass most. In adults, physical activity helps maintain bone mass, and can increase it by 1 or 2%. However, excessive exercise can lead to constant damages to the bones which can also can cause bone density problems. There are numerous examples of marathon runners who developed severe osteoporosis later in life.
Lastly, Age-related sarcopenia, or loss of muscle mass, loss of balance and dementia contribute greatly to the increased fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis. Physical fitness in later life is associated more with a decreased risk of falling than with an increased bone mineral density.
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