Osteoporosis Causes, Description, Symptoms & Treatment

Characterized by weakened or brittle bones, osteoporosis is often considered a women's disease, although it affects both genders.

Description

• Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones have become brittle and weak to the point that simple tasks can fracture a bone. Lifting and bending have been shown to fracture weakened bones in osteoporosis patients.

Causes

• Patients with the disease exhibit a diminished content in certain minerals, including phosphorus and calcium. As the presence of these minerals diminishes, or in patients who lack these minerals due to other causes, bones weaken and are at risk of losing their supporting structure.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of osteoporosis may include fractures in the hips, vertebrae, extremities and other bones, back pain and slack posture with a loss of height.

Treatment

• Several medications are designed to treat the symptoms and reverse some of the effects of osteoporosis. Among them are bisphosphonates, which help preserve and even increase bone density. Some hormone therapies have proved beneficial in reversing signs of osteoporosis, but they come with increased risks of certain cancers. Calcitonin is another treatment option and is administered as a nasal spray. Your physician can explain other emerging treatments and therapies.

Prevention

• To lower your risk of developing osteoporosis, exercise regularly, take in an adequate amount of calcium and eat foods rich in vitamin D, which is necessary in the absorption of calcium.