There are many factors that contribute to osteoporosis. These include age, gender, activity, diet, and hormones. Women with diets low in calcium with thin, petite body build, Caucasian and post menopausal are most susceptible to osteoporosis. Other risk factors include never being pregnant, sedentary life style, excessive use of alcohol, smoking and ingesting large amounts of caffeine. As evidenced by the broad number of risk factors, the metabolic pathophysiology of osteoporosis is complex.
Healthy bone is maintained thru a balance of adequate calcium intake and hormonal activity.
If there is a deficiency in calcium or the hormones that facilitate its metabolism - there is a gradual loss of bone density and manifestations of osteoporosis are prone to occur. Osteoporosis can progress painlessly without clear symptoms, often going undetected until a fracture occurs. The hip, arm and wrist are common sites of fractures. The vertebrae are also a frequent site of loss of bone density, resulting in compression fractures. Measures to prevent as well as treat osteoporosis are very similar.