What Causes Osteoporosis?

Bones are the support structure for the human body, and without them, our organs would have no protection, the body would have no shape, and we couldn’t move. As adults, there are as many as 213 bones in our bodies (though 206 is the average), which can be different from person to person because we don’t always have the same number of ribs, vertebrae (spinal bones), or fingers and toes. 

These dense supports are a living part of our bodies. While they are strong bones, they are not solid materials, and conditions that weaken the structure can lead to lasting damage. Osteoporosis is a bone condition that leaves the bones brittle and at higher risk of fractures and breaks. Managing the problem is best achieved when we understand why it happens.

If you have bone problems, get screenings and diagnoses from Dr. George Stanley and his dedicated University Diagnostic Institute staff in Winter Park, Orlando, and Lake Mary, Florida.

Defining osteoporosis

Bones come in many shapes and sizes to form our bodies but are not solid in how you think. Think of them as an organ constantly rebuilding itself with a combination of hard (cortical) outer shell and spongy (cancellous) material beneath. The spongy section is a complex latticework similar to a honeycomb that keeps the bones strong, and osteoporosis weakens it, affecting your overall bone density essential for its health.

When your bones weaken, it affects how well they heal; compromising bone strength amplifies the risk of injury from simple actions and falls. Frequently, people don’t know they have this problem until a fracture or break happens, and the chances increase as you age. The most common parts of your body affected by osteoporosis are your hips, spine, and wrists, but it can happen in any bone.

Causes and symptoms

The process of rebuilding bone tissue in your body is constant in your youth and peaks when you reach about 30 years old. After that, it takes longer for bones to renew and heal from injury, and your risk of osteoporosis depends on the amount of bone mass you presently have. Several things affect your chances of developing this condition, including:

• Gender: women have a high risk of this illness, especially post menopause

• Age: hormones play a significant role in bone health, and your body produces less as you age, increasing your risk

• Ethnicity: Caucasian and Asian people have higher chances of dealing with this problem

• Lifestyle: a sedentary lifestyle and smoking give you a higher chance of osteoporosis

• Medical history: the falls, injuries, and other traumas that happen when you are young affect your risk

• Medical conditions: diabetes, vitamin C deficiencies, Cushing syndrome, chronic renal failure, and anorexia are just some illnesses that raise your chances

Early signs of osteoporosis (if any) include brittle finger and toe nails, weakened grip strength, and poor oral health. Over time, the condition worsens and leads to back pain, hunched spine, reduced height, spinal malformations, spontaneous bone breaks, and breaks from minor falls.

Diagnosis for osteoporosis

Bone density tests are the method most frequently used to determine bone strength; we use a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan, a device that sends out low doses of radiation to check for evidence of bone loss by looking at your mineral and calcium content. 

If you take calcium supplements, you should stop for at least a full day before the DEXA scan. You may not be able to get this bone density test if you’re pregnant, have had a contrast for a CAT scan, or had a barium exam.

Osteoporosis can be managed, and starting treatment as soon as possible reduces your chances of complications. Make an appointment with Dr. Stanley and the University Diagnostic Institute today to get your DEXA test.