Osteoporosis - Balance Clinic

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle, making them more likely to fracture. Specifically, osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone mass and bone tissue. This causes bones to become porous, hence the name "osteo" for bone and "porosis" for porous.

Over 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and it is most common in older adults and postmenopausal women. However, osteoporosis can affect people of all ages. The disease typically develops slowly over many years without any symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Some key facts about osteoporosis:

• It causes bones to become less dense and more fragile
• Fractures are the major consequence, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist
• Primary risk factors are aging, family history, small body frame, and estrogen deficiency
• Exercise and nutrition play vital roles in building and maintaining bone density
• Medications and lifestyle changes can reduce fracture risks

What causes osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis develops when bone resorption overtakes bone formation. Bone is living tissue that constantly undergoes turnover through two processes:

1. Bone resorption: Older bone tissue is broken down by cells called osteoclasts
2. Bone formation: New bone tissue is produced by cells called osteoblasts

Normally, these processes are balanced. But starting around age 30-35, bone resorption gradually begins to exceed bone formation. This causes gradual bone loss over time. In osteoporosis, the pace of this imbalance accelerates.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Older age
• Female gender
• Family history
• Low calcium intake
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking and excessive alcohol

Diagnosing osteoporosis often involves bone mineral density (BMD) tests to measure bone mass. Treatments focus on slowing bone resorption with medications, along with lifestyle changes to support bone health through nutrition and weight-bearing exercise.

While osteoporosis cannot be cured, the good news is that its progression can be slowed. Protecting your bones at any age pays off later in life. It's never too early or late to take steps to maintain healthy bones.

For more information on osteoporosis and bone health, visit Balance Clinic.