Osteoporosis is a thinning and weakening of the bones that can lead to fractures, especially in the hip and spine. Osteoporosis typically occurs in postmenopausal women because their body’s production of estrogen declines. However, men can also develop this condition.
Osteoporosis has no symptoms until a fracture happens . However, these fractures can result in disability and mortality.
To prevent all this we need to know the root causes of osteoporosis and how these causes affect our body. Many factors contribute to the development of osteoporosis, including lifestyle choices. Here is what you need to know about what can cause osteoporosis and why it occurs.
- decreased estrogen production in women after menopause
- low calcium intake
- smoking
- excessive alcohol consumption
- poor diet
- sedentary lifestyle
Lets see why and how these factors lead one to osteoporosis
Decreased estrogen production in women after menopause
After menopause, a woman’s body stops producing the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is important for maintaining the health of bones. Without estrogen, bones can become thin and weak, leading to osteoporosis. This decrease in estrogen production can be due to a number of factors, including natural aging and some cancer treatments.
Low calcium intake
If you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, your bones may become weak and thin, leading to osteoporosis. This is because calcium is essential for maintaining the health of bones. Without calcium, bones can become thin and weak, leading to osteoporosis. Calcium is found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and grains.
Smoking
Smoking damages bone health and can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis. Nicotine in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco inhibits the body’s ability to absorb calcium, leading to a lack of the essential nutrient in bones which causes them to become weak and brittle resulting in osteoporosis. In fact, estimated that smokers are two to three times more likely to break bones than nonsmokers .
Excessive alcohol consumption
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also increases the risk for osteoporosis because it interferes with your body’s ability to absorb calcium. Alcohol is known to cause bone loss at the rate of about 1 percent per year if you drink more than 30 grams (about one drink) per day. Moreover alcohol kills bone forming cells which means it hinders bone regeneration and formation.
Poor Diet
A poor diet lacking in calcium and other essential nutrients can also increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. If you don’t take the necessary steps to maintain healthy bones, over time they become weak and brittle which leads to porosity in the. if you eat healthy you will be able to gain all the basic and accessory nutrients that are important for bones.
Sedentary lifestyle
Having a sedentary lifestyle also increases your chances of developing osteoporosis because it can negatively affect muscle mass, physical mobility, and bone density. When you become less active, your bones become weaker over time. This is because it takes more than just calcium to maintain healthy bones. You need both adequate levels of calcium and other nutrients such as protein, vitamin D, and potassium to maintain healthy bones.
Consult a doctor.
There is no curative treatment for osteoporosis, but there are medications to help prevent the condition. Diet and exercise can also help keep bones strong.
If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis get help from doctors. Depending on your condition, they may prescribe medication . They can also provide lifestyle advice that will help you maintain healthy bones.
You should always consult a doctor if you believe you are having any problems with your skeletal system or bone health. Osteoporosis is especially common in women after menopause, older people, and smokers – the risk increases when they lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Find Orthopedic Surgeon in Doctors Hospital Lahore or Orthopedic Surgeon in Boulevard Hospital.
