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During our lives, bones grow in length and density until the age of 30 years old. After this period, bones begin to slowly lose their density built up in the past years. Osteoporosis, or porous bones, is a degenerative disease common only in western countries characterized by a loss of bone mass.
Since the bones become less dense and more fragile, they are more and more likely to fracture. The major causes of osteoporosis are low calcium intake and the decrease of the female hormone estrogen that helps bones to be strong. This condition occurs in women who have gone through menopause. Osteoporosis occurs with ageing especially in women, but also other factors (life style, smoking, low calcium intake...) can lead to this disease. Often called the “silent disease”, osteoporosis usually goes unobserved until the fracture actually happens.
Osteoporosis occurs also in men, although it is often under diagnosed.
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The areas most likely to be affected by osteoporosis are the spine, hip and wrist bones. Osteoporosis is one of the main causes of fractured vertebrae. The pain caused from osteoporotic fracture may be misunderstood because often it is not severe or prolonged. Instead, you may notice some difficulties in bending, reaching or getting up from chairs, for instance.
The consequences of osteoporotic vertebrae collapse may be: - Back pain. In this case you may experience sore muscles and localized pain.
- Loss of height. Height loss may occur in case of spinal fractures.
A hunch back may also increase the probability of vertebrae fractures. Due to this posture the frontal part of the vertebrae collapse, decreasing chest area and lung capacity.
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