What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis (OP) literally means porous bones. In general terms, when someone has osteoporosis it means that their bones have thinned to the point that they are at higher risk for a fracture (break) of the bones.
Symptoms of OsteoporosisThere are no symptoms of OP until a fracture occurs. However, there are signs of OP, including a Dowager's hump (an outward bending of the spine) that can be seen, especially in elderly women who have long-standing osteoporosis. It is important to note that 7 out of every 10 vertebral (spine) fractures may have no symptoms.
Risk Factors for OsteoporosisThe most common risk factors for OP are:
- Female gender
- Caucasian or Asian ethnicity
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Smoking (whether current or in the past)
- Thin body habitus (weight less than 127 lbs)
- Certain medications such as corticosteroids, phenytoin, or thyroid supplements
- Excess alcohol intake (whether current or in the past)
- Poor calcium intake (whether current or in the past)
- History of a fracture of any bone (besides fingers or toes) as an adult.
- Height loss of more than 1 1/2 inches