Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition of skeletal fragility due to progressive loss of bone mass. Losing bone is a normal part of the ageing process, but some people lose bone density much faster than normal. This can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
It occurs in elderly people of both sexes but is most pronounced in postmenopausal women, they lose bone rapidly in the first few years after the menopause (when monthly periods stop and the ovaries stop producing an egg), so women are more at risk of osteoporosis than men, particularly if the menopause begins early (before the age of 45).
Many other factors can also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, including:
• long-term use of high-dose oral corticosteroids
• …show more content…
The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are wrist fractures, hip fractures and fractures of the spinal bones (vertebrae), however, they can also occur in other bones, such as in the arm or pelvis. Sometimes a cough or sneeze can cause a rib fracture or the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine.
A person is often not aware that he or she has osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. But there are occasionally symptoms of the disorder. They could include:
• Backache
• A gradual loss of height and an accompanying stooped posture
• Fractures of the spine, wrist, or
Osteoporosis is a condition of skeletal fragility due to progressive loss of bone mass. Losing bone is a normal part of the ageing process, but some people lose bone density much faster than normal. This can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.
It occurs in elderly people of both sexes but is most pronounced in postmenopausal women, they lose bone rapidly in the first few years after the menopause (when monthly periods stop and the ovaries stop producing an egg), so women are more at risk of osteoporosis than men, particularly if the menopause begins early (before the age of 45).
Many other factors can also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, including:
• long-term use of high-dose oral corticosteroids
• …show more content…
The most common injuries in people with osteoporosis are wrist fractures, hip fractures and fractures of the spinal bones (vertebrae), however, they can also occur in other bones, such as in the arm or pelvis. Sometimes a cough or sneeze can cause a rib fracture or the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine.
A person is often not aware that he or she has osteoporosis until a fracture occurs. But there are occasionally symptoms of the disorder. They could include:
• Backache
• A gradual loss of height and an accompanying stooped posture
• Fractures of the spine, wrist, or