SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Osteoporosis usually is not associated with any symptoms until a fracture occurs. Women and men with osteoporosis most often break bones in the hip, spine, and wrist. But any fracture in an older person could be a warning sign that the bone is weaker than optimal. Some people may be unaware that they have already experienced one or more spine fractures. Height loss of one inch or more may be the first sign that someone has experienced spine fractures due to osteoporosis. Multiple spine fractures can cause a curved spine, stooped posture, back pain, and back fatigue

In the early stages of bone loss, there is usually no pain or obvious symptoms. When the bone of the spine has become severely weakened by osteoporosis, signs and symptoms may develop that include:

• Mid back pain or low back pain
• Loss of overall height with an accompanying stooped posture
• Vertebral compression deformity
• Vertebral compression fracture

CAUSES

Osteoporosis may be attributed to three factors: (1) accelerated bone loss at menopause in women or as men and women age; (2) suboptimal bone growth during childhood and adolescence resulting in failure to reach peak bone mass; and (3) bone loss secondary to disease conditions, eating disorders, or certain medications and medical treatments. Bones can become weakened if you have low levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in your bones. Osteoporosis can also occur secondary to endocrine disorders or result from excessive use of certain drugs such as corticosteroids.

During menopause when estrogen levels drop, bone loss in women significantly increases. There are many factors which contribute to the development of osteoporosis although the single most important casue in women is reduced estrogen production during menopause.

RISK FACTORS

The risk for developing osteoporosis is influenced by the amount of bone mass acquired between the ages 25 of 35 (peak bone mass) and how rapidly it is lost thereafter.  A high peak bone mass reduces the risk for developing osteopenia and osteoporosis later in life. Essentially the more bone you have to start with the more bone you can afford to lose. Other risk factors for osteoporosis include:

• Deficiency of vitamin D
• Deficiency of dietary calcium
• Age
• Sex (female)
• Having a slender small frame
• Sudden drop of estrogen in menopause
• Race (great risk amongst Caucasian and those of Southeast Asian decent)
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Eating disorders
• Long term use of corticosteroid medications
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Use of some diuretics
• Chronic use of certain blood thinning medication such as heparin
• Lifelong lack of dietary calcium
• Excess soda consumption
• Chronic alcoholism
• Depression

 Risk factors you cannot change:

• Gender - Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissue and lose bone faster than men because of the changes that happen with menopause.

• Age - The older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become thinner and weaker as you age.

• Body size - Small, thin-boned women are at greater risk.

• Ethnicity - Caucasian and Asian women are at highest risk. African American and Hispanic women have a lower but significant risk.

•  Family history - Fracture risk may be due, in part, to heredity. People whose parents have a history of fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and may be at risk for fractures.