Bone mineral density, or BMD, is fast becoming a health-related buzzword. Osteoporosis is a disease that typically affects the older population; however, it is now believed to begin when you are much younger. Although the exact causes of osteoporosis and low BMD are not fully understood, research has begun to shed light on factors that may play a role in its manifestation. Age and gender, as well as other imbalances, may influence your chances of developing this bone disease.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by progressive bone loss and decreasing BMD. According to Orthoinfo.aaos.org, osteoporosis literally means porous bone. The site states that the disease often develops over a long period of time, unnoticed until pain or a fracture occurs. It can cause a loss in height as well as a dowager's hump, or hunched back. Unfortunately, it is considered a major health concern, affecting 28 million Americans and contributing to an estimated 1.5 million bone fractures per year, according to the website.
Aging and Bone Health
Perhaps due to eventual age-related degeneration, nlm.nih.gov states that everyone loses bone with age. After the age of 35, a person's body builds less new bone to replace the loss of old bone. In general, the older you are, the lower your total bone mass and the greater your risk for osteoporosis. According to the website, calcium and phosphate are essential for normal bone formation, and should be taken in adequate amounts throughout your lifetime. When you are young and growing, these minerals are needed to fuel the growth of bone. As you get older, calcium and phosphate can be reabsorbed back into your body, weakening the bone tissue and resulting in fragile, porous bones. By the time you actually break a bone, the disease is in its advanced stages and damage is severe.
Age-Related Statistics
Statistics vary between genders. Orthoinfo.aaos.org states that one in two women and one in five men older than age 65 will sustain bone fractures caused by osteoporosis. These fractures are often painful, typically occurring in the spine, hip, wrist, arm or leg and resulting from a fall. As you age, everyday activities like cleaning or reaching for a plate can result in a fall if your bones have been weakened by the disease.
Gender
The risks for men and women differ, although both men and women are at risk for the disease. Nlm.nih.gov states that most osteoporosis cases are attributed to changes in hormone levels. When women reach menopause, their estrogen levels drop significantly, which results in a variety of different syndromes and risks for disease. For women, this change typically occurs around the age of 50. Men do not experience a large fluctuation in their hormone levels until they are older. The website states that men over 70 have a higher risk for osteoporosis than men in younger age groups, due to significant losses of testosterone. These hormones are important for maintaining bone growth and preventing reabsorption.
Other Factors
Research is now looking into secondary causes and unrecognized risk factors associated with osteoporosis. Men and women are at risk for other diseases, which may play a role in their osteoporatic symptoms. An October 2010 study published in "Osteoporosis International" screened adult men averaging age 70 for secondary risk factors to osteoporosis. The study found that in the majority of men, hypogonadism, which is low hormone levels, vitamin D deficiency and thyroid dysfunctions were prevalent. A similar study was performed on post-menopausal women, with similar results. Published in January 2010 in "Menopause," vitamin D deficiency and thyroid dysfunctions contributed significantly to decreases in BMD.
References
- American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Osteoporosis
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Osteoporosis
- American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Osteoporosis: Race Groups
- "Osteoporosis International"; Osteoporosis in Men: the Value of Laboratory Testing; Ryan CS, Petkov VI and Adler RA; October 2010
- "Menopause"; Search for Hidden Secondary Causes in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis; Cerdá Gabaroi D et al; January 2010
