Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the disease of the bone characterized by the reduction of the bone mineral density and osseous tissue resulting in a porous bone structure.

This illness especially strikes the elderly. 1 of 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50 worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. The hormone deficiency after the menopause could explain the high number of women suffering from osteoporosis. The danger of this illness lies in the high bone fracture risk and the absence of warning symptoms. Possible indications can be a reduction of body height and the formation of a humpback. Osteoporosis is however usually noticed in the process of x-raying e.g. bone fractures. Osteoporosis caused bone fractures are recognized as such due to their emergence. They are usually not the result of an accident but of lifting a bag or even coughing.

This means the harm doings of osteoporosis could go unnoticed by the patient for a period of time putting irreversible damage to the skeleton. The entire skeleton is affected especially the spinal column, wrist and hip bone.  Osteoporosis could draw a patient into a never ending circle of entailing illnesses. Bone fractures and broken bones tie a patient to bed. The bedridden patient is therewith exposed to a high risk of pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.

How does osteoporosis develop?

Bone tissue is constantly in action. It repairs and removes old tissue, builds up new tissue and ensures a strong and resistant bone with the help of calcium and phosphate. This bony metabolism can be disrupted through a deficiency of the sexual hormones oestrogen and testosterone. This is usually the case with women in and after their menopause and men reaching their seventies. The deficiency disturbs the osteolysis of the bone and the maintenance of the bone derogates. It becomes fragile and brittle. Not only age is a factor pivotal for osteoporosis, also illnesses such as the disease of thyroid, tumours, calcium deficient diet, drug abuse and underweight can cause osteoporosis. This makes osteoporosis an illness of all ages.