Osteoporosis; Calcium Deficiency?

Osteoporosis is a disease resulting in the loss of bone tissue. Normal bones consist of a series of thin, intersecting plates, called cancellous bone, surrounded by a shell of dense cortical bone. In osteoporosis, the cancellous bone loses calcium, becomes thinner, and may disappear altogether. The cortical bone may become thinner as well. Osteoporosis usually takes years to develop and results in extremely weak and fragile bones throughout the skeleton. Often the first symptom is a fractured bone from a minor blow or fall.

Normal Bone


Abnormal Bone

Osteoporosis can result from a number of diseases or conditions. These include some hormonal diseases, local injury or inflammation, malnutrition, and lack of physical activity. Osteoporosis also refers to the natural loss of bone that occurs as a person grows older.

The most common form of osteoporosis affects women who are past menopause--the time in a woman's life when menstruation stops. Such postmenopausal osteoporosis most often results in fractures of the wrist, spine, and hip bones. The cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis is unknown, but it is known that the lack of estrogens accelerates bone loss in women. Estrogens are female sex hormones. Their production nearly ceases after menopause. Another important factor in postmenopausal osteoporosis may be insufficient calcium in the diet. Calcium is vital to the development and maintenance of strong bones.

There is no cure for postmenopausal osteoporosis, but treatment may slow its effects. Estrogen drugs and calcium supplements may reverse bone loss, but their effectiveness tends to diminish after several years of treatment. To prevent osteoporosis, scientists recommend a lifelong combination of regular exercise and a diet high in calcium.