Osteoporosis
"A disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and a consequent increase in fracture risk"--World Health Organization
Osteoporosis is characterized by a reduction in bone mass at a rate of 2-4% per year, post menopause. Osteoporosis often leads to vertebral compression and excessive curvature of the spine as well as loss of height, especially during the post-menopausal years. Three times more women than men suffer from osteoporosis. 50% of women will suffer from osteoporosis by the age of 75. 25% of women over 60 years of age suffer from compression fractures. In women, the loss of bone mass is more closely related to the decline of ovarian function than to age.
Osteoporosis can also occur prematurely in young women who have had their ovaries surgically removed, or in those who experience a naturally early menopause, before the age of 40.
Other factors that can significantly contribute to this disease in certain women are: a family history of osteoporosis, lack of physical activity, excessive consumption of cigarettes and alcohol, having a small, thin body build, eating foods lacking in calcium, and taking certain medications long-term, such as cortisone or even thyroid supplements if the dose is too high.
There is a high social cost of hip and vertebral fractures. These fractures cause pain, deformity and loss of mobility/independence. Moreover, secondary complications from hip fractures can result in an important loss of autonomy and increased mortality. 15 to 25% of patients die secondary to osteoporotic hip fractures or its complications (surgical; pneumonia; cardiac; blood clots). The survivors may also be seriously disabled and up to 30% never walk again.
|
|
|
How
well are you aging? 
|
|
|
|
