February 2, 2015
Healthy Bones Osteoporosis, which means "porous bones," causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the removal of old bone. In many cases, bones weaken when you have low levels of calcium and other minerals in your bones. A common result of osteoporosis is fractures — most of them occur in the spine, hip or wrist. Although it’s often thought of as a women’s disease, osteoporosis affects men too. And aside from people who have osteoporosis, many others have low bone density, putting them at risk of developing osteoporosis. In the early stages of bone loss, you usually have no pain or other symptoms. But once bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may have osteoporosis signs and symptoms that include: • Back pain, which can be severe, as a result of a fractured or collapsed vertebra • Loss of height over time • A stooped posture • Fracture of the vertebra, wrist, hip or other bone How likely you are to develop osteoporosis depends on how much bone mass you attained in your 20’s and early 30’s (peak bone mass) and how rapidly you lose it later. The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone you have “in the bank” and the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis as you age. The strength of your bones depends on their size and density; bone density depends in part on the amount of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals bones contain. When your bones contain fewer minerals than normal, they’re less strong and eventually lose their internal supporting structure. Other factors, such as hormone levels, also affect bone density. In women, when estrogen levels drop at menopause, bone loss increases dramatically. In men, low estrogen and testosterone levels can cause a loss of bone mass.
Risk factors you can change: • Low calcium intake • Tobacco use • Eating disorders • Sedentary lifestyle • Excessive alcohol consumption Risk factors you can’t change: • Your sex. Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than are men. • Age. The older you get, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. • Race. You’re at greatest risk of osteoporosis if you’re white or of Asian descent. • Family history. Having a parent or sibling with osteoporosis puts you at greater risk, especially if your mother or father experienced a hip fracture. • Body frame size. Men and women who have small body frames tend to have a higher risk because they may have less bone mass to draw from as they age. Three factors essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life are: • Adequate amounts of calcium • Adequate amounts of vitamin D • Regular exercise Good sources of calcium include: • Low-fat dairy products • Dark green leafy vegetables • Canned salmon or sardines with bones • Soy products, such as tofu • Calcium-fortified cereals and orange juice
Brought to you by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. / Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/basics/definition/con-20019924