Osteoporosis
Cause
Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance between bone production and bone breakdown. This means that there is too much bone breakdown and not enough bone production. This causes bone loss and a porous and weaker bone.
What is osteoporosis?
In osteoporosis, bones become less strong because the amount of bone (density) and its quality decrease. In our bones, new bone tissue is constantly being created and old bone tissue is being broken down. During growth there is more production of bone tissue, in older age there is more breakdown. As a result, bones become more brittle and can break more easily. Spinal vertebrae can collapse as a result.
Who suffers from osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is more common in women than men because accelerated bone loss occurs during menopause. Men can also develop osteoporosis and usually at a later age than women. Insufficient exercise, not enough calcium in the diet, vitamin D deficiency, too much alcohol and smoking all contribute to the development of osteoporosis.
Some diseases create a higher risk for developing osteoporosis: rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, COPD, chronic kidney disease and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Long-term use of certain drugs such as cortisone can also cause this.
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis, before a fracture has occurred, is only possible through a bone density measurement. This involves using X-rays to measure the amount of calcium in your bone.
Treatment
Treatment may include intake of calcium and vitamin D, adequate exercise and/or avoidance of alcohol and smoking.
Departments
For more information about the condition, please contact the endocrinologists.
For treatment of a fracture due to osteoporosis, you can visit the department of orthopaedics.