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What is osteoporosis?

Anatomy of boneBone is a living tissue that is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. When the balance between breakdown and rebuilding is disturbed – for example, by hormonal changes or dietary changes – the bone may lose some of the minerals that contribute to its density and strength. A condition of diminished bone density is called osteopenia. When a significant loss in bone density occurs, such that the bone is markedly weakened and susceptible to fracture, the condition is termed osteoporosis (porous bone). Photo source: National Cancer Institute

Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fractures, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists. Although it can affect anyone, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age, affects women significantly more often than men, and is most prevalent in Caucasian and Asian women. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis and another 43 million have low bone mass and are at risk of developing the disease. Of those who have osteoporosis, 80% are women. Risk is also higher in individuals with petite body frames who likely have a lower than average bone mass supply.


Bones are primarily a combination of type-I collagen protein and calcium phosphate. The protein forms a spongy network that is "mineralized" by the addition of the calcium compound to make the bones both strong and flexible. Bone is living tissue that is slowly but continuously replaced. During a process called bone resorption, cells called osteoclasts dissolve bone on a microscopic scale and enzymes break down the collagen network. This is followed by the formation of new bone by cells called osteoblasts. This on-going process is called bone turnover or bone remodeling and continues throughout a person's life. An individual's entire skeleton is replaced about every 10 years.

During childhood, bone formation proceeds at a faster rate than bone resorption and bone mass increases to peak usually by the early 20's. After this peak, bone formation slows and resorption begins to outpace it, resulting in a decline in bone mass with age. Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies during childhood, the use of medications that contain high-dose glucocorticosteroids (although not the usual doses taken as inhalers to control asthma or nasal allergies), eating disorders (e.g., anorexia), gastrointestinal surgery, inactivity, smoking, and excess alcohol consumption can all increase the risk of a person developing osteoporosis later in life. Some diseases, such as thyroid disease, Cushing disease, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and hyperparathyroidism, can also have an effect on bone health. Those with a strong family history of osteoporosis may also be at an increased risk of developing it.

Menopausal and postmenopausal women may experience an increased rate of bone mass loss with a decrease in the hormone estrogen. Going through menopause early can exacerbate the loss. According to the NOF, some women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the first 5 to 7 years following menopause. Men with decreased testosterone levels are also at risk for increased bone loss.

There are two types of osteoporosis:

Primary- or age-related osteoporosis. This refers to osteoporosis developing without any apparent cause. It is much more common in women but can also be seen in men, particularly in older men. As mentioned earlier, in some women the rate of bone loss is very high right after menopause and fractures can occur at a relatively early age, but in most women osteoporosis does not cause fractures until they are in their 60's or 70's. Most common are spine compression fractures. Changes in lifestyle, calcium, or vitamin D supplements or other medications that decrease bone loss may slow the progression of this type of osteoporosis.

Secondary-osteoporosis. This refers to bone loss due to another disease. It affects both men and women and may be due to several different disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing disease, chronic kidney disease, multiple myeloma, or drugs such as anti-epileptics, glucocorticoids, or lithium. Treatment of the underlying disease or cause may slow the loss of bone density in secondary osteoporosis.

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