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Electron photomicrographs show bone minerals - Photo S. Bertazzo Osteoporosis

is a growing problem in developed countries. This article looks at what osteoporosis who receive, and risk factors for this disease. What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition in which the density of bone minerals (especially calcium) decreases. This weakens bones and makes them more susceptible to fractures, often after relatively minor accidents. The bones most commonly fractured bones in osteoporosis of the spine, forearm and wrist and hip. Although bones may seem rigid, unchanging structure, minerals that give them power continuously absorbed and replaced by specialized cells in a process called bone remodeling. This cycle of repair and recovery keeps bones healthy, and maintain the necessary level of calcium in the blood. Typically, the amount of calcium removed at the old bone is the number of new calcium deposit. If the balance tips so that leaves more than replace, the total mineralization of bone is reduced, and osteoporosis is the result. Causes of osteoporosis, risk factors

There are three types of osteoporosis. Idiopathic or primary osteoporosis occurs without triggering the disease. It is most common in post-menopausal women, due to the loss of female sex hormone estrogen, which helps regulate bone remodeling. Primary osteoporosis is also sometimes seen in young men and women and even children, in such cases, the cause of bone loss mineral unclear. Secondary osteoporosis can occur in people with other conditions that may alter bone metabolism, examples include hyperthyroidism, parathyroid disease,,, alcohol abuse and anorexia nervosa. Localized osteoporosis can develop in an arm or leg, which was immobilized in plaster or in connection with paraplegia. Transient localized osteoporosis can occur in the spine or hip in pregnant women, but very rarely. taking certain medications (eg steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, some cancer treatments)

smoking tobacco. These factors directly reduce bone density (eg, low calcium intake) and attracts bone loss in old age. The prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing in developed countries, partly due to the increasing proportion of elderly in the lasix drug generic population, and partly because the increasingly sedentary lifestyle. In the UK it is estimated that nearly three million people have osteoporosis, with over 200,000 fractures due to osteoporosis each year. In the U.S., osteoporosis is observed in 30% of postmenopausal women. Fractures have a high social and economic value, but may be reduced lines, respectively. References: Eastell R. osteoporosis. Medicine 2005; 33 (12): 616. Ralston SH. Structure and metabolism of bone tissue. Medicine 2005; 33 (12): 5860. Tobias JH. Metabolic bone disease. In: Axford J, ed. Medicine. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 1996. The information contained in this article are for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment to manage without the doctor concluded. Any reader who is concerned about their health should consult a doctor for advice. .