Publisher's Synopsis
Understanding Osteoporosis;
A decline in bone mass and density is the hallmark of osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease that causes brittle and delicate bones. Osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bone," is derived from the Greek words "osteo" (bone) and "poros" (porous). Osteoporosis weakens the skeletal structure and increases the risk of fractures, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist.
Osteoclasts break down old bone and osteoblasts generate new bone in the process of remodeling bone, which is a living tissue that is constantly changing. Bone mass increases throughout childhood and adolescence because the rate of bone synthesis outpaces the rate of bone resorption. However, this equilibrium progressively changes after bone mass reaches its peak, which usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 30. Over time, bone density gradually decreases as bone resorption starts to outstrip bone creation.
This normal bone loss is increased in osteoporosis. Even from little falls or simple movements like bending or coughing, the bones become less thick and more porous, increasing their susceptibility to fractures. Bones have a honeycomb-like internal structure, and osteoporotic bones have much greater gaps and crevices inside this structure, which weakens the framework of the bone.
