Causes of Osteoporosis

What are some possible causes of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis affects millions of men and women. It is a condition in which the bones in the body lose calcium faster than they can replenish it. Calcium, of course, is necessary for keeping bones intact as well as for forming new bones.

Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, having mineral and progesterone deficiencies, and a lack of exercise can all be contributing factors for the development of osteoporosis.

Put simply, osteoporosis develops when an imbalance between old bone resorption and the formation of new bones exists. Phosphate and calcium are critical for bone formation. Calcium is used for a variety of functions within the body, including the functioning of the heart and brain. Therefore, getting enough calcium is important as it is quickly absorbed and used throughout the body; this is an important point to note while learning about the causes of osteoporosis. Bones can become brittle and break easier if there is not sufficient calcium to be absorbed into them.

A lack of androgen in men and estrogen in women is among the primary causes of osteoporosis. Women who are post-menopausal have a decrease in estrogen, which is one of the reasons that they are affected by the condition.

After menopause, when a woman's estrogen level decreases, is when most women get diagnosed with osteoporosis. As women lose more bones then they are able to replace, the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture can increase. In addition, women who have had both of their ovaries removed can also develop low bone density and osteoporosis. This is one of the reasons why many women are put on hormone replacement therapy once they enter into menopause.

On the other hand, low testosterone in men can increase their chances of developing osteoporosis. While not causes of osteoporosis, per se, there are also other certain risk factors that can make a person more susceptible to developing it.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one risk factor for osteoporosis, as is having a parent with the condition. In addition, cigarette smoking, not taking in enough calcium, having an inactive lifestyle, and certain eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia can also be risk factors.

Women who are thin with small frames are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. This is especially true of Caucasian women. Postmenopausal women, which includes women who have had surgically induced menopause, are also at a greater risk for developing the condition.

There are other conditions that can be causes of osteoporosis. These include bone cancer, using certain medications, overusing corticosteroids, lack of muscle use, and thyroid problems.

Because so many of the risk factors are preventable, it is important to live a healthy and active lifestyle to help prevent osteoporosis from occurring. Paying special attention to your diet and consuming enough calcium is imperative. It is also important to get enough daily exercise and to stay active. Since smoking is a risk factor, quitting should be high on your list of priorities.

While it can be difficult to reverse the effects of osteoporosis, it can be simple to make lifestyle adjustments to try and stop it from happening in the first place. Never underestimate the effects of eating a well-balanced diet, staying active, and taking care of your overall health.

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