It may appear with osteomalacia, a condition in which the bones soften and weaken from lack of vitamin D. Other possible causes include an imbalance in the body's natural acidity or a loss of phosphate. Too much aluminum hydroxide, a chemical used to treat ulcers, in the body can also be a cause. Women who smoke or are physically inactive are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis. Too little calcium in the diet or a family history of osteoporosis are other risk factors. You may have no clear symptoms until a bone breaks.
Broken bones are the most common problem for people with osteoporosis.
The hip, arm, and wrist are common places for breaks. The bones of the spine are also a common area of thinning. Your health care provider may discover you have osteoporosis from an x-ray taken for some other problem. Otherwise, the diagnosis might be made from a review of your medical history and symptoms, a physical exam, and x-rays and blood tests. If you are in a high-risk category, your provider may order tests that measure the density of the bones in your forearm and spine.