Osteoporosis | How does osteoporosis occur?

In order to understand the role of bone mineral density scanning, it is important to know a little about how osteoporosis occurs. Bone is constantly being remodeled. This is the natural, healthy state of continuous uptake of old bone (resorption) followed by the deposit of new bone. This turnover is important in keeping bones healthy and in repairing any minor damage that may occur with wear and tear. The cells that lay new bone down are called osteoblasts, and the cells responsible for resorption of old bone are called osteoclast. Osteoporosis occurs as a result of a mismatch between osteoclast and osteoblast activity.

This mismatch can be caused by many different disease states or hormonal changes. It is also commonly a result of aging. In osteoporosis, Osteoclasts outperform osteoblasts so that more bone is taken up than is laid down. The result is a thinning of the bone with an accompanying loss in bone strength and a greater risk of fracture. A thinning bone results in a lower bone density or bone mass.

There are two major types of bone. Cancellous bone (also known as trabecular bone) is seen in areas such as the spine and wrists. This type of bone normally undergoes a rapid rate of turnover. As a result, if osteoclast and osteoblast activity become mismatched, cancellous bone is affected rapidly. Cortical bone is located in the arms and legs. This type of bone is metabolically slower than cancellous bone, and is therefore less affected by alterations in bone turnover. There is a normal rate of decline in bone mass with age in both men and women. For women, in addition to age, the menopause transition itself causes an extra degree of bone loss. This bone loss is greatest in the first 3 to 6 years after menopause. Since women generally have a lower bone mass to begin with in comparison with men, the ultimate result is a higher risk of fracture in postmenopausal women as compared to men of the same age. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that men may also be at risk for osteoporosis, especially if they have certain illnesses, a low testosterone level, are smokers, take certain medications, or are sedentary.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

The osteoporosis condition can operate silently for decades, because osteoporosis doesn't cause symptoms unless bone fractures. Some osteoporosis fractures may escape detection until years later. Therefore, patients may not be aware of their osteoporosis until they suffer a painful fracture. Then the symptoms are related to the location of the fractures.

Fractures of the spine (vertebra) can cause severe "band-like" pain that radiates around from the back to the side of the body. Over the years, repeated spine fractures can cause chronic lower back pain as well as loss of height or curving of the spine, which gives the individual a hunched-back appearance often called a $fractures of the spine result from osteoporosis$ "dowager hump."

A fracture that occurs during the course of normal activity is called a minimal trauma fracture. For example, some patients with osteoporosis develop stress fractures of the feet while walking or stepping off a curb.

Hip fractures typically occur as a result of a fall. With osteoporosis, hip fractures can occur as a result of trivial accidents. Hip fractures may also be difficult to heal after surgical repair because of poor bone quality.

In the U.S., more than 10 million people have osteoporosis and almost 34 million more have low bone density.
One in two white women will experience a bone fracture due to osteoporosis in her lifetime.
In 1995, the United States incurred an estimated loss of 14 billion dollars due to health care costs related to osteoporotic fracture, without even taking into account the indirect costs, such as lost productivity.
Twenty percent of those who experience a hip fracture will die in the year following the fracture.
One-third of hip fracture patients are discharged to a nursing home within the year after fracture.
Only one-third of hip fracture patients regain their pre-fracture level of function.

With the aging of America, the number of people with osteoporosis related fractures will increase exponentially.

Osteoporosis Treatment: Find One The is Safe and Effective

Thyroid Disease an Osteoporosis

bone loss from osteoporosis Thyroid disease falls into 2 major functional categories; conditions that produce too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) and conditions that produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). In general, excessive replacement of thyroid hormone in medications can also result in signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. One of the problems that occurs when the thyroid is too active, or when too much thyroid hormone medication is given, is bone loss from osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone mass (decrease in bone density), which leads to fragile bones that can break more easily. There are a number of contributing factors for osteoporosis, including heredity, the amount of peak bone mass acquired during youth, and factors that contribute to an increased breakdown of bone and/or a decrease in the formation of new bone. Hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased excretion of calcium and phosphorous in the urine and stool, which results in a loss of bone mineral. This loss is documented by the measurement of bone density (densitometry) and leads to an increased risk of broken bones (fractures). If the hyperthyroidism is treated early, bone loss can be minimized. In the same manner, excessive amounts of thyroid hormone replacement medication can also result in bone loss.

In addition to osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism can cause blood calcium levels to rise (hypercalcemia) by as much as 25%. Occasionally, this may be severe enough to cause stomach upset, excessive urination, and impaired kidney function.

What do you need to know?

If you are on thyroid replacement medication, it is important to have your thyroid blood levels checked regularly to ensure that the appropriate amount of medication is taken. If you have a history of hyperthyroidism and are concerned that you may have osteoporosis, discuss the role of a bone density scan with your doctor. The level of calcium in the blood can easily be determined through a routine blood test.

If you have osteoporosis, there are many medications on the market that help to prevent further bone loss and can actually help to rebuild bone mass. Your doctor can guide you through the choices available. The main thing to remember is that prevention is the ideal course of action to fight osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, a good diet, and calcium intake of about 1500 mg a day go a long way in helping your bones, regardless of whether you have or have had hyperthyroidism.