Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a progressive loss of bone density which leads to a thinning of bone tissue. Osteoporosis means "porous bone" and its medical significance is that the bone has lost both calcium for strength and matrix for support. Osteoporosis is usually elusive and discovered when a fracture occurs after minimal trauma. Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, or when to much old bone is reabsorbed by the body or both. Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. As people age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue weaker. Osteoporosis is the most common type of metabolic bone disease.
While there are a variety of causes for osteoporosis, hormone deficiencies are the leading cause, along with other causes such as corticosteroid excess, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, immobilization, bone malignancies, certain genetic disorders and a diet low in calcium. The most common tests to determine if you suffer from osteoporosis are bone mineral density testing such as dual energy absorptiometry (DEXA), spinal CT scan, spine or hip X-ray's and measurement of urinary calcium.
Prevention should be the primary aim of treatment, of which exercise, healthy living, proper amounts of calcium and vitamin D, smoking cessation and avoiding heavy alcohol use, are keys to success when dealing with osteoporosis.
Post-menopausal women, especially those with reduced bone density, should consider intervention with medications. A number of medications for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis include vitamin D analoges, hormone replacement therapy, calcitonin and biphosphonates are currently available.
For additional information or comments, please contact:
LEO Pharma, Inc. in Florida (if you are unable to open the link below please copy it into your e-mail program)
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