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How to Reduce or Delay Osteoporosis Essay example

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Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to become so thin that they can break during normal daily activities such as lifting a heavy object or rolling over in bed. Whether someone will develop osteoporosis or loss of bone, known as osteopenia, depends on the thickness of the bones early in life, as well as health, diet, and physical activity later in life. The exact cause of osteoporosis is not known. However, osteoporosis has been linked to the natural process of aging and to the decreased production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Not getting adequate calcium and phosphorous , two minerals needed to build strong bones and vitamin D has also been linked to the development of
osteoporosis. …show more content…

Other risks factors may include overusing antacids that contain aluminum. Antacids that contain aluminum remove phosphorus and calcium from the body, causing faster- than-normal bone thinning. Excessive dieting or eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa is another risk factor, People with eating disorders usually have low body fat and therefore low levels of estrogen, which increases their risks. Female athletes are at risk for developing osteoporosis if they have infrequent menstrual cycles due to low body fat.
This leads to weaker bones. Women who have completed menopause have the greatest risk for osteoporosis. An important risk factor that is specific to postmenopausal women is low estrogen level.
Decreasing levels of estrogen occur during menopause. In addition, women who no longer have menstrual periods, either because their ovaries are not working properly or because their ovaries have been removed through surgery, are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain, getting shorter in height, a curved backbone, broken bones, especially the hip, small bones in the spine, vertebrae, and wrist. Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed by evaluating medical history, and a physical examination and bone density testing. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is very important.
If someone is at risk for osteoporosis, they should be screened before symptoms, such as broken bones,

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