In the March 2010 issue of "The New England Journal of Medicine," Elizabeth Shane, MD, writes that 10 to 12 million Americans are affected by osteoporosis. This disease decreases the density of bone and results in increased bone fractures. In addition to the risk factors for developing osteoporosis, there are several diseases that can cause it.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a tumor of the plasma cells. These are the white blood cells that make antibodies. The tumor starts in the bone marrow, but then spreads and destroys bone. James R. Berenson, MD, writes in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals" that because multiple myeloma destroys bone, it can cause osteoporosis. People with multiple myeloma develop lesions in their bones. The lesions will usually be found in the spinal cord, skull, ribs and pelvis. If the spinal cord is affected, there is a risk of the vertebrae collapsing. This will cause nerve problems, and can even result in paraplegia, or both legs being paralyzed.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Also know as the "brittle bone disease", osteogenesis imperfecta is hereditary and involves abnormal connective tissue. Connective tissue supports the human body and includes the cartilage, skin, blood vessels and bone. People with this disorder have hearing loss, dental abnormalities and blue sclerae. The sclera is the white part of the eye. There are several types of this disease, ranging from a mild form to the severest form which causes a fetus to die while still inside the uterus. According to the National Institutes of Health, almost everyone who suffers with this disorder has osteoporosis because they never have the proper bone density.
Celiac Sprue
Atenodoro Ruiz, Jr., MD, explains in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals" that celiac sprue is also a hereditary disease. But with this disease, people are not able to tolerate gliadin, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It causes inflammation in the small intestines. And if the small intestines are inflamed, they cannot absorb the proper amounts of vitamin D and calcium. Both are needed to maintain proper bone density.
Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease is caused by a pituitary adenoma, a benign tumor which has structures that resemble a gland. It is benign because it does not invade any adjoining structures, but can cause damage if it puts enough pressure on other structures. A pituitary adenoma is located in the pituitary gland of the brain. But it is so small, that it does not put pressure on any other structures. It does cause hypercortisolism, or high levels of cortisol in the bloodstream. Cortisol has several effects on the body. It increases the level of glucose in the bloodstream and helps to regulate the metabolism of fats and proteins. But it also decreases the formation of bone and decreases the absorption of calcium in the small intestines. Thus, high levels of cortisol can lead to osteoporosis.
