Osteoporosis is a disease that has already struck more than two million people worldwide. And contrary to popular belief is not just a woman’s or old people’s disease.

At one time osteoporosis it was treated as just something that happened with ageing that needed neither attention nor treatment. But after extensive research, it is recognized as a disease, which can be due to factors other than just ageing and more importantly cannot only be partly prevented but also effectively treated.
Throughout our lives our bones are constantly being renewed through a process where old bone is removed and replaced with new bone. Up until the age of about 30, more bone is added than is taken awa. After this age, more bone is being taken away than is replaced, causing a gradual thinning of the bone. Osteoporosis is characterized by thinning of bone density over time. Bone strength depends on density (quantity) and quality.

Although it’s thought of as a women’s disease, osteoporosis also affects many men. And aside from people who have osteoporosis, many more have low bone density.

Symptoms
In the early stages of bone loss, you usually have no pain or other symptoms. But once bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you may have osteoporosis symptoms that include:
• Back pain, which can be severe if you have a fractured or collapsed vertebra
• Loss of height over time, with an accompanying stooped posture
• Fracture of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bone
Osteoporosis, means “porous bones,” causes bones to become weak and brittle,  so brittle that even mild stresses like bending over, lifting or even  coughing can cause a fracture.

Causes
low calcium intake and lower estrogen levels at menopause are often blamed for causing osteoporosis, but this is not exactly true.

A more sensible notion of the cause of osteoporosis is that of varied bone-depleting factors, each building one upon the other. Each bone-depleting factor adds to the others until the total load is more than our bone can bear.

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Ever wondered why a minor accident and you end up in fracture, loosing one or two bones? That is because you may be having a “silent disease”, that is, osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks (fractures). Fractures commonly occur in the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is often not recognized in men. However, if you are feeling that your bones are getting weaker, don’t delay the diagnosis. This is important because osteoporosis is more or less preventable for most people.

Factors increasing the risk of osteoporosis:

A. Cigarette smoking.
B. Excessive alcohol consumption.
C. Inactive lifestyle and advanced age.

Saying “don’t smoke”, will be a bit harsh if you are into the habit. But, to prevent your bones from getting pores in them, it is better not to smoke. Drink in moderation. Exercise regularly. Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium.

This way, you can prevent fractures in your bones and thus, the silent but dreadful osteoporosis.

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