Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a syndrome that affects the density of bones, thereby making them brittle and prone to breakage. Osteoporosis can be caused by a number of different diseases and bodily changes. The most common reason for this syndrome is menopause, which explain why osteoporosis is far more common among elderly women than any other population group. Severe cases of osteoporosis are often caused by genetic defects.

In some extreme cases osteoporosis is life threatening, and limits those that suffer by it to a life in wheelchair. When the condition is this bad, spine disorders are common, as the bone of the spine is no longer able to withstand the weight of the torso and head.

Osteoporosis is a common side effect of severe eating disorders eg.anorexia, extreme and lengthy 'crash-dieting' attempts at weight loss, and weight-loss surgery. In these cases, the cause is an inadequate dietary intake of calcium and a deficit in basic nutrition over a long period of time.

Osteoporosis cannot be reversed, but once it is detected the progress of the disease can be slowed or halted by a very high intake of calcium and other minerals.