From the Editor
Osteoporosis is a progressive decrease in the density of bones that weakens them and makes them more likely to fracture. As such it is a condition of fragile bone with an increased susceptibility to fracture.Bones contain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, which make them hard and dense, the body requires an adequate supply of calcium and other minerals and must produce the proper amounts of several hormones such as parathyroid hormone, growth hormone, calcitonin, estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Also an adequate supply of vitamine D is needed to absorb calcium from food and incorporate it into bones. Bone progressively increase in density until a maximum density is reached, around age 30. After that bone slowly decrease in density. If the body isnt able to regulate the mineral content of bones, they become less dense and more fragile,resulting in osteoporosis.
There are different types of osteoporosis: Postmenopausal, servile, secondary and rarely
idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. Osteoporosis rarely presents any sign or symptoms. Patients may not know if their bones are becoming weaker until they experience one of the following: A fracture of wrist, hip or spine, curvature of spine, low back pain, neck pain, bone pain and tenderness, loss of height etc.
Osteoporosis is a condition that is treated with lifestyle adjustments and medications. It does not need surgical treatment unless it is hip and wrist fracture and spinal compression.
