Osteoporosis or thinning of bones is one of the most prevalent types of bone disorder, particularly among women. The main factor behind high incidence of Osteoporosis is the drastic drop in the level of estrogen women face at Menopause or the fall in testosterone that men experience with age. Women over the age of 50 have been found to be at a higher risk as compared to men who are vulnerable to Osteoporosis only after the age of 70 years.

According to experts, the first 15 years of human life is spent on building bones. From the age of 15 and above till 30 the bones complete the process of reaching maximum toughness.

Osteoporosis begins when either the body halts the formation of new bones or old bone starts being reabsorbed back into the body. Elements calcium and phosphate play a key role in the development of new bones. As the body ages and hormone decreases, the two minerals begin being reabsorbed back into the body making the bones brittle and thus causing Osteoporosis.

It has been generally seen that people are unaware of the degenerative process of Osteoporosis taking place in their bodies, till they experience a fracture or a broken bone. For a patient of Osteoporosis, a fracture is like an alarm, once the patient has suffered the first fracture the vulnerability to later fractures and broken bones increases because of Osteoporosis.

The risk factors for Osteoporosis include

• Age: Osteoporosis is more common amongst elderly people.
• Gender: Women are more vulnerable to Osteoporosis in comparison to men.
• Menopause: Post menopausal women are more vulnerable to Osteoporosis as the estrogen level drops in these women. The hormone estrogen is responsible for protection of bones in women.
• Family History: Genetics and Heredity have a key role to play in deciding the occurrence of Osteoporosis in an individual.
• Small or thin individuals: Men and women with a small bones and body structure are more vulnerable to suffer from Osteoporosis as compared to larger people.
• Broken Bones: Individuals who have suffered from broken bones once or twice in their adult years tend to develop Osteoporosis later in life.

Controllable Risk Factors

Inadequate consumption of Calcium: The advised dosage of Calcium for individuals younger than 50 is 1,000 milligrams of Calcium and 400 to 800 units of Vitamin D everyday. Individuals over 50 years of age require increased amounts of both the elements, i.e. 1,200 milligrams of Calcium and 1,000 units of Vitamin D. Consumption of any amount lesser than this can lead to the development of Osteoporosis in an individual.

• Diet: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential for maintaining healthy bones and keep away from Osteoporosis.
• Increased consumption of caffeine, protein, and sodium: Doctors have observed that taking non dairy animal proteins can also lead to Osteoporosis.
• Lack of physical exercise: A sedentary life style with little or no physical exercises has also been seen to be a contributing factor to Osteoporosis. Weight bearing exercises have a strengthening affect on the bones.
• Smoking: Chemicals in Cigarettes damage bone cells and thus lead to Osteoporosis.
• Alcohol: Increased consumption of alcohol hampers bone formation and cause Osteoporosis.

It is better to take care of the above mentioned controllable factors and prevent the occurrence of Osteoporosis as the disorder is irreversible.

Experts recommend all women above 65 and men above 75 to go or regular baseline bone density scans. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is meant to check the health of the bones. It can effectively diagnose Osteoporosis, and risk for fractures. The test is painless and safe and is similar to an X-ray, albeit it has lesser amounts of radiation involved.

For women between the age group 50-65 years there are more detailed tests required.

Medications tend to help patients with Osteoporosis if coupled with adequate Vitamin D intake.