| | | | Other Names | | | Fragile Bone, Fragile Bones, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Low Bone Density.
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| | | Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease resulting from low bone
mass (osteopenia) due to excessive bone resorption. Sufferers are prone to
bone fractures from relatively minor trauma. Typical examples are the
vertebral bodies, distal forearm and proximal femur. With bone
densitometry it is now possible to determine individuals' risk of
osteoporosis and monitor their response to treatment.
By the age of 90, one in two women and one in six men are likely
to sustain an osteoporosis-related fracture. The incidence of fractures is
increasing more than would be expected from the ageing of the population,
which may reflect changing patterns of exercise or diet.
Osteoporosis may be classified as primary or secondary. Primary
consists of type 1 osteoporosis, due to accelerated trabecular bone loss,
probably because of oestrogen deficiency. This typically leads to
crush fractures of vertebral bodies and fractures of the distal forearm in
women in their 60s and 70s. Type 2 osteoporosis, by contrast, results from
the slower age-related cortical and travecular bone loss that occurs in
both sexes. It typically leads to fractures of the proximal femur in
elderly people.
Secondary osteoporosis accounts for about 20 per
cent of cases in women and 40 per cent of cases in men. Subgroups include
endocrine (thyrotoxicosis, primary hyperparathyroidism,
cushing's syndrome and hypogonadism); gastrointestinal
(malabsorption syndrome, e.g., coeliac disease, or liver disease,
e.g., primary biliary cirrhosis); rheumatological (rheumatoid
arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis); malignancy (multiple
myeloma or metastatic carcinoma) and drugs
(corticosteroids, heparin). Additional risk factors for
osteoporosis include smoking, high alcohol intake, physical inactivity,
thin body type and heredity.
Individuals at risk of osteopenia, or
with an osteoporosis-related fracture, need investigation with spinal
radiography and bone densitometry. A small fall in bone density results in
a large increase in the risk of fracture, which has important implications
for preventing and treating osteoporosis.
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Please Note: This Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. The products indicated above may be listed in error. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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