bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Osteoporosis
Introduction
Osteoporosis is a condition in which a decrease in the density of bones weakens the bones, making breaks (fractures) likely. Aging,estrogendeficiency, lowvitamin Dor calcium intake, and certain disorders can decrease the amounts of the components that maintain bone density and strength. Osteoporosis may not cause symptoms until a bone fracture occurs. Fractures can occur with little or no force and may occur after a minor fall. Although fractures are often painful, some fractures of the spine do not cause pain but can cause deformities. Doctors diagnose people at risk by testing their bone density. Osteoporosis can usually be prevented and treated by managing risk factors, ensuring adequate calcium andvitamin Dintake, engaging in weight-bearing exercise, and taking bisphosphonates or other medications. Bones contain Overview of Minerals , including So that bones can adjust to the changing demands placed on them, they are continuously broken down and reformed. This process is known as Bones . In this process, small areas of bone tissue are continuously removed and new bone tissue is deposited. Remodeling affects the shape and density of the bones. In youth, the bones grow in width and length as the body grows. In later life, bones may sometimes enlarge in width but do not continue to grow longer. In women, bone density (or mass) progressively increases until about age 30, when bones are at their strongest. After that, bone density gradually decreases. The decrease in bone density accelerates after menopause, which occurs on average around age 51. Because more bone is formed than is broken down in the young adult years, bones progressively increase in density until about age 30, when they are at their strongest. After that, as breakdown exceeds formation, bones slowly decrease in density. If the body is unable to maintain an adequate amount of bone formation, bones continue to lose density and may become increasingly fragile, eventually resulting in osteoporosis. 