Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time.
Alternative Names
Thin bones
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease. An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, as well as another 18 million who have low bone mass, or osteopenia, which may eventually lead to osteoporosis if not treated.
Researchers estimate that about 1 out of 5 American women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. About half of all women over the age of 50 will have a fracture of the hip, wrist, or vertebra (bones of the spine).
Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both.
Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, your body uses these minerals to produce bones. If you do not get enough calcium, or if your body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer.
As you age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue weaker. This can result in brittle, fragile bones that are more prone to fractures, even without injury.
Usually, the loss occurs gradually over years. Many times, a person will have a fracture before becoming aware that the disease is present. By the time this occurs, the disease is in its advanced stages and damage is severe.
The leading causes of osteoporosis are a drop in estrogen in women at the time of menopause and a drop in testosterone in men.
Vitamin D (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body''s fatty tissue.In addition to helping the body absorb calcium, vitamin D also helps the body keep the right amount of calcium and ph...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/07/2009
Calcium and bones (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Research suggests that bone mineral density peaks between ages 25-35, and decreases after that. There is strong evidence that calcium helps build dense bones and prevents osteoporosis.Skim milk and yogurt are good sources of daily calcium.Lanham-N...Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/05/2008
Bone scan (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A bone scan is an imaging test that shows areas of increased or decreased bone turnover( metabolism).A bone scan involves injecting a radioactive material(radiotracer) into a vein. The substance travels through the bloodstream. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/10/2008
Exercise and age (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
It''s never too late. Exercise at any age has benefits, from reducing the risk of heart problems(including acute MI) to preventing osteoporosis, the thinning and loss of density of the bones.Always consult your health care provider before beginning...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/18/2007
Calcium in diet (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
It is also needed for a normal heartbeat.Many foods contain calcium, but dairy products are the most significant source. Milk and dairy products such as yogurt, cheeses, and buttermilk contain an efficiently absorbed form of calcium.Whole milk(4% ...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/07/2009
Broken bone (7 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture(compound fracture).A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone that develops because of repeated or prolonged forces against the b...Reviewer: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/07/2007
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