The Effect of Osteoporosis on Muscle Tissue

Osteoporosis remains to be a debilitating disease that affects a large fraction of the aging population. Although mainly a bone-degenerative disease, osteoporosis also has lingering effects on muscle tissue. Changes in diet and exercise can help reduce the effects of osteoporosis and enable a more comfortable and healthier lifestyle.

Facts

• Osteoporosis is a bone disease that results in the loss of bone density, as well as bone degeneration. As bone loss accumulates over time, an individual becomes more prone to fractures and bone pain. While women in the postmenopausal stage are the most susceptible to osteoporosis, men may also experience similar symptoms. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis roughly affects 75 million individuals in the United States, Europe and Japan as of 2010. In addition, the International Osteoporosis Foundation states that one in three women and one in five men will eventually undergo osteoporotic fractures in their lifetimes.

Effect on Muscle Tisue

• In the human body, muscle tissue often works in conjunction with bone to provide support and mobility. Thus, osteoporosis has enduring consequences on muscle tissue, as well as bone. As bone loss accumulates over time, muscle tissue also weakens as well. Osteoporosis causes an individual's skeletal system to degrade, which also forces the body's muscle tissue to degenerate. Because old age is a major factor in osteoporosis onset, muscle deterioration occurs due to the lack of physical activity.

Causes and Risk Factors

• The major cause of osteoporosis lies in a deficiency in estrogen. Low levels of estrogen correlates with rapid bone loss. In addition, insufficient calcium and vitamin D intake stimulates additional bone breakdown. Common risk factors for osteoporosis include women over age 50, family members with osteoporosis, insufficient dietary calcium, thin body build, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Symptoms

• Because bone loss occurs over a long time, symptoms of osteoporosis may not visible until advanced stages. Common symptoms include: multiple bone fractures, aching bone pain and chronic back pain. Osteoporotic fractures generally occur in the lower and middle back, wrist and hip. Significant loss of height and a stooped posture may also be signs of osteoporosis.

Treatment

• Osteoporosis is very difficult to reverse. Thus, treatment for osteoporosis focuses mainly on prevention. Most therapies revolve around increased calcium and vitamin D intake to increase calcium absorption in bone. Such dietary changes should always be accompanied by regular exercise to increase bone strength and reduce the possibility of future fractures. In addition, osteoporotic drugs are available to help the body maintain bone mass and density.