Risk factors for osteoporotic fracture can be split between non-modifiable and (potentially) modifiable. In addition, there are specific diseases and disorders in which osteoporosis is a recognized complication. Medication use is theoretically modifiable, although in many cases the use of medication that increases causes of osteoporosis risk is unavoidable.
Nonmodifiable
The most important risk factors for causes of osteoporosis are advanced age (in both men and women) and female sex; estrogen deficiency following menopause is correlated with a rapid reduction in BMD, while in men a decrease in testosterone levels has a comparable (but less pronounced) effect. While osteoporosis occurs in people from all ethnic groups, European or Asian ancestry predisposes for causes of osteoporosis. Those with a family history of fracture or osteoporosis are at an increased risk; the heritability of the fracture as well as low bone mineral density are relatively high, ranging from 25 to 80 percent. There are at least 30 genes associated with the development causes of osteoporosis. Those who have already had a fracture is at least twice as likely to have another fracture compared to someone of the same age and sex.
Potentially modifiable
- Tobacco smoking - tobacco smoking inhibits the activity of osteoblasts, and is an independent risk factor for causes of osteoporosis.
- Low body mass index - being overweight protects against causes of osteoporosis, either by increasing load or through the hormone leptin.
- Low calcium and vitamin D intake - calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency from malnutrition increases the risk causes of osteoporosis. The problem occasionally arises in calcium deficient adolescents.
- Alcoholism
- Insufficient physical activity - bone performs remodeling in response to physical stress. People who remain physically active throughout life have a lower risk causes of osteoporosis. The kind of physical activity that have most effects on bone are weight bearing exercises. The bony prominences and attachments in runners are different in shape and size than those in weightlifters. Physical activity has its greatest impact during adolescence, affecting peak bone mass most. In adults, physical activity helps maintain bone mass, and can increase it by 1 or 2%. Physical fitness in later life is associated more with a decreased risk of falling than with an increased bone mineral density. Conversely, people who are bedridden are at a significantly increased risk.
- Excess physical activity - excessive exercise can lead to constant damages to the bones which can cause exhaustion of the structures as described above. There are numerous examples of marathon runners who developed severe causes of osteoporosis later in life. In females, heave exercise leads to amenorrhea (suppression of the menstrual cycle), which is associated with decreased estrogen levels.
- Heavy metals - a strong association between cadmium, lead and bone disease has been established. Low level exposure to cadmium is associated with an increased loss of bone mineral density readily in both genders, leading to pain and increased risk of fractures, especially in elderly and in females. Higher cadmium exposure results in osteomalacia (softening of the bone).
- Soft drinks - some studies indicate that soft drinks (many of which contain phosphoric acid) may increase risk causes of osteoporosis; others suggest soft drinks may displace calcium-containing drinks from the diet rather than directly causing causes of osteoporosis.
Sources encyclopedia
