Women's health
Osteoporosis
Assessing bone health and reducing fracture risk before a break happens.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a medical condition that causes bones to become weak, thin, and brittle. Healthy bones have small, honeycomb-like spaces inside them; osteoporosis increases the size of these spaces, causing the bone to lose strength and density. Because it develops gradually and without pain, many people do not realize they have it until a minor bump, strain, or fall results in a broken bone—most commonly in the hip, wrist, or spine. The body continuously breaks down old bone tissue and replaces it with new tissue. During childhood and early adulthood, the body creates new bone faster than it breaks down old bone, building up bone mass. Osteoporosis occurs when the removal of old bone outpaces the creation of new bone, leaving the skeletal structure fragile and more vulnerable to fractures.
Who is Most at Risk for Developing Osteoporosis?
While osteoporosis can affect anyone, postmenopausal women face the highest risk. This is primarily because the hormone estrogen plays a vital role in preserving bone density, and its levels drop sharply after menopause. Additional unavoidable risk factors include getting older (especially over age 50), having a family history of osteoporosis or hip fractures, having a small or thin body frame, and being of White or Asian descent. Certain lifestyle choices and health profiles also significantly increase risk. These include a lack of regular physical activity (specifically weight-bearing exercises), inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, cigarette smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption. Additionally, individuals taking long-term steroid medications (such as prednisone) or those living with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or thyroid disorders are at a higher risk for bone loss.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is primarily caused by an imbalance between the cells that rebuild bone and the cells that break it down. Bone density typically peaks in a person's late 20s. As people age, the body's natural rebuilding process slows down. If the body fails to build enough bone density in early life or loses too much bone density later in life, osteoporosis develops. This underlying imbalance is driven by several underlying biological factors: Hormonal changes: Decreased estrogen in women during menopause and lower testosterone levels in men reduce the body's ability to maintain bone structure. Nutritional deficiencies: A persistent lack of essential minerals—particularly calcium, which builds bone mass, and vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium—causes the body to draw minerals out of the bones to support other bodily functions, leaving them porous. Medical therapies: Prolonged use of certain medications or the presence of underlying medical conditions can accelerate bone breakdown or interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to rapid bone loss over time.
This page is for general information, if you have questions or wondering about possible treatment. feel free to connect, book appointment at WELL Health Medical Centre — Regent