Osteoporosis, literally meaning ‘porous bones,’ is a progressive disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of sudden and unexpected fractures. There is enormous loss of bone mass in osteoporosis, which causes the formation of pores in the bones. The disease is far more prevent among women, particularly the menopausal women, than in men.

Osteoporosis is of two types, primary and secondary.

Primary osteoporosis is a disease of old age and occurs generally among menopausal/postmenopausal woman and in men after age 70-75. It may occur because of…

• Lack of the hormones (estrogen in women and testosterone in men)
• Lack of nutrition, particularly of calcium and vitamin D
• Lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle

Secondary Osteoporosis may occur in young and middle-aged people. It may occur following use of medications like corticosteroid, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and by exercising on extremes.

The likelihood of development of osteoporosis depends on your bone density by the age 30. Bone formation is an ever-going process. The new bones continuously replace all the old bones in the body. Until you are 30, the extent of bone formation exceeds that for bone breakdown, so by this age the bone density is maximum. Following age 30, the bones are broken down faster than they are rebuilt so there is a decline in the bone density that decreases progressively. Lesser the bone density by age 30 greater the susceptibility to osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a ‘silent disease’ that bears no apparent signs or symptoms while it is progressing. People usually become aware of it only when their bones become so weak that a light bump or sneezing causes a fracture or collapses a vertebra. Therefore, regular screening is necessary to check out the progression of disease, especially if you run the risk for this problem.

People at highest risk for osteoporosis include-

• Women after age 45-50 and men after age 70
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Malnutrition
• Lack of physical activity
• A high consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and heavy smoking