Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease, characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture, most evident in the wrists, the vertebrae, the neck of femur, and the ribs. Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity. Women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, but men also suffer from osteoporosis.

Symptoms
Osteoporosis is often called a "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms.  People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse.  Collapsed vertebrae may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, spinal deformities or stooped posture.

Causes
No single cause for osteoporosis has been identified. However, certain factors - called risk factors - do seem to play a role in the development of the disease. Major risk factors include:

• A family history of osteoporosis fracture.
• having a vertebral compression fracture, or a fracture with minimal trauma after age 40.
• A long-term use of glucocorticoid therapy such as prednisone.
• Medical conditions such as celiac or Crohn's disease which  inhibit absorption of nutrients,
• Primary hyperparathyroidism and the tendency to fall.
• Hypogonadism, and an early menopause.

Precautions
There are indeed few factors, which can indeed optimize bone health and help prevent osteoporosis. These are mainly:

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises
• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
• Talking to one’s healthcare professional about bone health
• Bone density testing and medication when appropriate

Treatment
The best way treat osteoporosis involves eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, having regular exercise and taking medication to reduce bone loss and increase bone thickness. Small changes in diet, exercise, and medication can help prevent fractures. Adults who adopt healthy habits can slow the progress of osteoporosis. Though there is no cure for osteoporosis, the medications approved by the FDA for postmenopausal women help to prevent and treat osteoporosis.