OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is typically defined as reduction in bone mineral mass that results in decreased bone strength & increased susceptibility to fracture with only mild or moderate trauma.It is a major health problem through out the world owing to the morbidity, mortality & cost of care which are consequence of the fractures.Osteoporosis is classified as Primary & Secondary Osteoporosis.

Primary Osteoporosis is further classified as Post menopausal & Age Related Osteoporosis.

Secondary Osteoporosis is caused due to long term Glucocorticoid treatment. Glucocorticoids are a class of drugs used to treat a range of chronic inflammatory diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Asthma , other respiratory disorders & to suppress the rejection of transplanted organs. Adverse effects associated with the use of Glucocorticoids are decreased intestinal absorption & increased urinary excretion of Calcium, inhibition of Osteoblast function and increased bone resorption.Each of these mechanism result in accelerated bone loss & increase risk of fracture.Osteoporosis occurs in more than half of patients who receive long term Glucocoricoid treatment. Secondary Osteoporosis is also caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormone whether due to thyrotoxicosis or excess replacement therapy in Hypothyroidism.The thyroid hormone acts on Osteoclasts indirectly through the Osteoblasts therefore bone resorption exceeds bone formation thus resulting in Bone loss.

Age related Osteoporosis is seen in both males & females. Bone density decreases with age due to decline in physical activity & decreased Calcium intake. Evidence suggests that initiating exercise in older people who were initially sedentary individuals has increased their bone density & slowed bone loss.

Till now it is clear to you that not only Post menopausal women suffers from Osteoporosis but also men & women who have received Glucocorticoid treatment for a very long time or have elevated levels of Thyroid hormone or are not exercising suffer from Osteoporosis. Alcoholics are also at a risk of developing Osteoporosis. Since Ethanol damages the liver thereby the synthesis of 25(OH) Colicalciferol ( a form of Vitamin D) is reduced.Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of Calcium. Also excess of Ethanol causes low Testosterone levels & decreased Testosterone levels leads to Osteoporosis.

Thus the belief of many people that only elderly women are victims of Osteoporosis is in correct.