Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

OSTEOPOROSIS
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Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition or state in which bones become weak and brittle. It is an affliction in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. The bone also becomes porous and fragile. Osteoporosis can be a result of the lack of calcium in the diet for a very long time. This process is silent and progressive.
Osteoporosis is a dangerous condition that affected around 44 million Americans aged 50 years and above in the United States in 2017 (IOF, 2017). There are several other risk factors or factors that increase the probability of developing Osteoporosis. Hyperthyroidism is a disease that can result in Osteoporosis. Hyperthyroidism is a condition that causes a lot of thyroid hormone to be produced. This hormone is formed in the thyroid gland and reduces the rate at which bones are replaced. In this case, the osteoblasts are incapable of replacing the bone loss. This process at the latter causes the bone to develop Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis can also be as a result of persistent use of some medications such as heparin, phenytoin, and corticosteroids. This is known as drug-induced Osteoporosis. Heparin is a drug taken to treat and prevent clotting of blood as a result of medical procedures. However, heparin increases the reabsorption of bones through stimulating osteoclasts. This leads to suppression of the function of osteoblasts, which leads to a reduction of bone mass. Also, it leads to depletion of the cells in the bone marrow. This, as a result, leads to the development of Osteoporosis. Phenytoin is a drug that is taken to treat or prevent seizures by slowing down the impulses of the brain. However, phenytoin inhibits the formation of osteoblast cells. The drug also prevents the secretion of osteocalcin. This osteocalcin is a hormone that helps in the regulation of calcium in the bones (Rohatgi and Ahluwalia, 2017). This, at the latter, leads to the development of Osteoporosis, which is weakening bones.
Lack of exercise or engagement in physical acti...