Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass and mechanical strength resulting in susceptibility to fractures. It is the primary cause of bone fractures in women after menopause and the elderly in general.

Osteoporosis does not have a definite beginning and, until recently, the first visible sign of the disease used to be a fracture of the hip, wrist or vertebral body that causes pain or deformity.

The bones are undergoing continuous remodeling through processes of formation and resorption, and also serve as a reservoir of calcium in the body.

From the age of 35 inci loss of small amounts of bone. Multiple diseases or lifestyles can increase bone loss leading to osteoporosis at an earlier age. Some women are also prone to osteoporosis by low bone mass in adulthood.

Menopause is the leading cause of osteoporosis in women, due to declining levels of estrogen. The loss of estrogen physiological menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries, causing a rapid loss of bone. The women, especially Caucasian and Asian women have lower bone mass than men. Bone loss results in a lower strength itself, which easily leads to fractures of the wrist, spine and hip.

A higher probability of developing osteoporosis is related to:

  • Early menopause, natural or surgical
  • Consumption of alcohol or caffeine
  • Smoking
  • Periods of amenorrhea
  • Some medications such as prolonged use of corticosteroids
  • Processes such as thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis and problems that block the intestinal absorption of calcium
  • Dietary calcium for prolonged periods, especially during adolescence and youth
  • Sedentary lifestyle

Osteoporosis affects one in five women over 45 years and four out of ten of more than 75.

Diagnosis

It can measure bone mass, and hence its decline in the adult, densitometry techniques or quantitative computed tomography.