Osteoporosis

goodtoknow says: This causes loss of bone tissue so if you have osteoporosis your bones are more prone to breaking. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can prevent bone loss. Bone building drugs can help build bones again. Osteoporosis is associated with old age, particularly in women, but doctors are concerned that young women are risking their future bone health through over-dieting. You're more at risk after the menopause, if you've already broken bones, have a family history, are underweight, smoke, don't exercise or are taking certain medications, eg steroids. A bone scan can show if you're developing osteoporosis.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of osteoporosis from patient.co.uk, read on.

If you have osteoporosis it means that you have lost some bone material. Your bones become less dense and more 'honeycombed'. This makes them more prone to break (fracture). Osteoporosis mainly affects older people and it can affect anyone. However, some people have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis (detailed below). You can take measures to prevent or slow down bone loss. If you have osteoporosis, drugs may help to restore some bone.

Understanding bones and osteoporosis

Bone is made of collagen fibres (tough, elastic fibres) and minerals (gritty, hard material). Bone is a living tissue and contains cells that make, mould and resorb (take back up) bone. Initially, as you grow, bone formation exceeds bone resorption. But, as you get older, this reverses and, after about the age of 45, you start to lose a certain amount of bone material. Your bones become less dense and less strong. The amount of bone loss can vary. If you have a lot of bone loss, then you have osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis you have bones that will break more easily than normal, especially if you have an injury such as a fall. If you have a milder degree of bone loss, this is known as osteopenia.