About one in two women and one in five men over 50 will fracture a bone because of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can affect all age groups, but it's most common in postmenopausal women. Having osteoporosis doesn't automatically mean that your bones will fracture, it just means that it's more likely.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
You can't see or feel your bones getting thinner, and may be unaware of any problems until you fracture a bone or start to lose height.
Complications of osteoporosis
Broken wrists, hips and spinal bones are the most common fractures in people with osteoporosis. Fractures can, however, occur in any bone. They can result in pain, disability, loss of independence and a drop in self esteem.
Causes of osteoporosis
Healthy bone consists of a strong mesh made of protein and minerals (particularly calcium). This mesh is living tissue that is constantly being renewed by two types of cells. One type builds up new bone and the other breaks down old bone. Up to our mid-20s our skeleton is strengthened, but from our 40s onwards our bones gradually lose their density as a natural part of ageing.
Illustration showing the structure of bone and bone affected by osteoporosis. The structure of bone and bone affected by osteoporosis
Our bone health is largely down to the genes we inherit from our parents. However, there are factors that can put you at greater risk of osteoporosis.
The breakdown of bone is quicker in women who have been through the menopause. This is because of a lack of the hormone oestrogen. Oestrogen reduces the amount of bone broken down and so helps to protect against osteoporosis. In women, oestrogen is made in the ovaries from puberty until the menopause. Anything that reduces the number of years that a woman produces oestrogen may increase the risk of osteoporosis. These include:
- an early menopause (before the age of 45)
- a hysterectomy before the age of 45 (especially if both ovaries are removed)
- excessive exercising - this can reduce your hormone levels and as a result your periods may stop for a prolonged time
The hormone testosterone has an important effect on bone strength in men. Men with a decreased function of the testicles (hypogonadism) have low levels of testosterone and a greater risk of osteoporosis.
Other factors include :
- age - the risk increases as you get older
- race - Caucasian or Asian races are at greater risk than African-Caribbean
- gender - women have smaller bones than men
- a family history of osteoporosis, particularly a history of hip fracture in a parent
- a previous fragility fracture (fracturing a bone after only a minor accident)
- long-term immobility (eg confined to bed)
- a very low body mass index (a way of combining weight and height measurements)
- excessive alcohol consumption or smoking
- low levels of vitamin D or dietary calcium
Some medicines and disorders can increase your risk including :
- long-term use of corticosteroids (medicines sometimes used to treat severe allergies or inflammation)
- long-term use of heparin (used to thin the blood)
- aromatase inhibitors (used in the treatment of breast cancer in women)
- overactive thyroid disorders (eg hyperthyroidism)
- rheumatoid arthritis
- digestive disorders that affect nutrient absorption, such as Crohn's Disease, chronic liver disease, or coeliac disease
- a disorder of calcium metabolism (hyperparathyroidism)
- other conditions, such as kidney disease and ankylosing spondylitis
By Bupa's
