It has long since been known that hormones play a vital role in bone development and maintenance. Bone is a living tissue, which is constantly being broken down, or removed and renewed or replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the amount of tissue being replaced does not keep up with what has been removed. Over time, the bone gradually becomes less dense. Estrogen helps to control the balance between the breakdown and renewal.

As the level of estrogen falls the breakdown of bone speeds up while the renewal is slowed leading to a larger amount of bone mass being lost. There has been controversy over using hormone replacement for years since early on too much estrogen alone was linked to endometrial cancer. To eliminate this risk, progestin was prescribed in combination with the estrogen. A few years ago a clinical study was conducted called the Women's Health Initiative to test the effects of HRT. While initial testing showed a marked improvement in bone health, and a reduced risk of hip fracture, the study was discontinued after a few years due to a minimal percentage of participants getting breast cancer. It was determined that due to the risks posed that HRT should not be considered as a prevention or treatment option for osteoporosis in premenopausal women, or women who do not have symptoms of menopause. These risks include heart attack, stroke, and an increased risk of breast cancer.

For those at high risk of getting osteoporosis HRT could still be considered since it has shown to reduce the risk of fracture. Anyone taking or thinking of taking HRT should just be aware of the risks and have a knowledgeable medical professional explain to them the benefit and risks and to make an informed decision as to whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks. HRT is also commonly used in conjunction with other treatments for osteoporosis. It can be taken in pill form or administered transdermally in patch form. Common side effects include headache, breast tenderness, and vaginal bleeding.

One class of drugs that has particularly damaging effects on the skeleton is glucocorticoids or corticosteroids. Other drugs that can cause bone loss and lead to osteoporosis are excessive thyroid hormones, anticonvulsants, and aluminum containing antacids, gonadotropin releasing hormones, chemotherapy for cancer treatment, cyclosporine, heparin, and cholestryamine.

Glucocorticoid and corticosteroids medications such as prednisone, cortisone, deltasone,

prednisolone and dexamethasone, both directly and indirectly affect bone loss. These types of medications not only affect bone cells by resulting in less bone formation, they can interfere with calcium absorption and affect levels of sex hormones, leading to increased bone loss. Too much thyroid hormone also can cause bone loss. This can occur either because of hyperthyroidism, or because of taking excess amounts of thyroid hormone medication to treat hypothyroidism. Diuretics or drugs that prevent buildup of fluids cause the kidneys to excrete more calcium, leading to thinning bones. Diuretics that cause calcium loss include furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, and torsemide.

Chemotherapy, especially the combination of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil alter the production of sex hormones and increase bone loss.

For many, these are life-saving or life-enhancing drugs, and their use may be the only way to achieve a better quality of life so discontinuing them would not be prudent. However it is important to discuss the use of any medications thoroughly with a medical professional and to be informed and understand any possible risks or outcomes. While taking certain medications may increase the risk of osteoporosis, or even cause the disease it does not meant that other measures can't be taken to help combat the risk or prevent further damage. As with otherwise healthy persons an adequate intake of Calcium and Vitamin D and regular exercise can go along way in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis through strengthening bones. For those taking or who have taken these medications a bone density scan may be advisable to measure the risk of osteoporosis and determine any treatment or therapies that may be necessary. Often it is advised to have a scan done before starting a regimen of medications that have been identified as increasing the risks of osteoporosis. A scan may also be done in the midst of, or at the completion of treatment to measure any damage that may have already been done.

Osteoporosis is less common in men than in women for several reasons. Men have larger skeletons, their bone loss starts later in life and progresses more slowly, and they do not experience the rapid bone loss that affects women when their estrogen production drops as a result of menopause. Despite these differences, men can be at high risk for this disease. Men can experience considerable loss of bone as they age, and this decline in bone mass is an important contributor to the development of osteoporosis. There are several reasons for this loss of bone.

Declining testosterone levels may cause bone loss that is similar to the bone loss that occurs in women at the time of menopause. Estrogen may also play a critical role in bone health in men. Changes in estrogen levels with age may be as important, if not more important, as those changes in testosterone. Although osteoporosis is less common in men than in women, it is estimated that one-fifth to one-third of all hip fractures occur in men. After the age of 60 it is estimated that up to a quarter of all men will sustain fractures. Men who suffer from broken bones or fractures are less likely than women to be treated for bone disease, even though treatment could help to prevent future broken bones. Men have higher instances of mortality resulting in hip fractures then women. Vertebral fractures occur about half as often in men as they do in women.

Of interest is the fact that despite extensive testing, no obvious cause has been found in a large number of men who develop fractures or have low bone mineral density. When osteoporosis develops in the absence of recognized risk factors, the condition is known as idiopathic osteoporosis. The evaluation of osteoporosis in men is similar to that in women. Fractures that occur in the absence of trauma should always raise the suspicion of osteoporosis, and the possibility of osteoporosis should be considered in men who have any of the risk factors. Besides gender and menopause, the same risk factors for women apply to men and similar preventative methods are shown to be effective. A proper diet including adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D, Regular strength building exercise, and other healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking or consuming too much alcohol.

The treatment of osteoporosis in men consists of identifying and treating specific causes of bone loss. The same methods for prevention are often used for treatment and maintenance. If testosterone deficiency is found, testosterone replacement therapy may be considered. Other treatments for use in men include calcitonin, alendronate, human parathyroid hormone and others. These treatments have been approved for use but are still being evaluated as to their effectiveness.

Medications:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has approved several medications that can prevent or treat osteoporosis. They are Bisphosphonates, Estrogen or hormone therapy, and also Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs).

Some of the brand names for Bisphosphonates are: Fosamax® and Fosamax® plus D.

Some of the brand names for Estrogen or Hormone Therapy are:

Estrogens: Climara®, Estrace®, Estraderm®, Estratab®, Ogen®, Ortho-Est®, Premarin®, and Vivelle®

Estrogens and Progestins: Activella™, FemHrt®, Premphase®, and Prempro®

Parathyroid Hormone: Fortéo®

You may recognize some of these names from brochures or magazines that you may be given by your healthcare professional to read and one or more of these may be prescribed for you over the course of your osteoporosis.

Once it is known that a person has osteoporosis one thing that will be done is to manage the rate at which bone loss occurs. There are several ways to slow this rate down.

One way to slow the rate of bone loss is by weight-bearing exercise. Those individuals who live a sedentary lifestyle are at high risk for osteoporosis and will most likely have weaker bones than their athletic neighbors. Light weight lifting can stimulate bone production. Light aerobic exercise such as aerobics, jogging and the ever popular walking can help you to strengthen bones.

Getting the proper nutrition can also help to strengthen your bones. Calcium supplements may be recommended as well as making sure you get enough vitamin D (which by the way can be obtained from exposure to sunlight). Things that have caffeine in them like sodas and coffee will decrease calcium absorption and should be avoided.

Making lifestyle changes like making sure you go outside and feel the sunshine on your bare arms and legs (not over exposure). Sunshine is good for vitamin D in your body and this vitamin is essential for calcium absorption.

Make sure that you make regular visits to your healthcare professional so your osteoporosis can be monitored and your bone density rate measured. The medical staff can keep you informed about any new treatment including advances in supplements.

It is important to assure that your environment is safe and that you take proper precautions against falls. Some things to look out for are rugs that slip, wet stairs, uneven ground, loose walkways or stairs. Have your eyes checked to be sure that your vision will aid you to see properly when negotiating stairs. Make sure that you have proper lighting in all areas of your home. Be aware of going up and down stairs or stepping off of curbs. Take your time while out walking so that you do not misstep.

Enlist the help of family members or neighbors to do yard work, reaching and heavy household chores.

Risk factors for osteoporosis that cannot be controlled include advanced age, female gender, Asian or Caucasian ethnicity, family history, early menopause, and small body frame. Those which one can have little control over are medically related and include prolonged use of corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, high doses of thyroid supplements and conditions such as depression, hyper or hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease. Some medical conditions may be related because they share the same risk factors. Unfortunately it may not be possible to avoid these risk factors but they may be minimized. Risk factors that can be controlled are inadequate amounts of calcium, not enough estrogen, lack of exercise, smoking, and use of alcohol.

Minimizing risk can be as simple as getting outside everyday and getting exposure to sunshine, taking dietary supplements, quitting smoking or limiting alcohol consumption. Making healthy lifestyle choices when it comes to diet and exercise can make all the difference when it comes to overall bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis. As bone is lost, the skeleton becomes more and more osteoporotic and prone to bone fracture. While everyone loses some bone, there are those that are less likely to suffer from osteoporosis until they are very, very old, if at all, while still others may develop osteoporosis at a younger age. Those that do not develop osteoporosis have strong bones to begin with or their rate of bone loss is slower so the bones remain strong well into old age. For the majority though the process of bone thinning is much faster. Being aware of the risk factors and making changes to them or avoiding them altogether may make all the difference in the affect that osteoporosis may have on one's life.

For women estrogen replacement may be advisable during the time of menopause to help the absorption of calcium and to slow the rate of bone loss resulting from the hormone changes. Calcium is essential for healthy bones and adequate amounts can ideally be obtained from a healthy diet, limiting sweets, caffeine, drinking soda and overly processed foods that contain little vitamins and minerals and unhealthy additives. Regular weight bearing exercise, at least half an hour three times a week will help to develop and maintain bone strength and may help reverse the effects of bone loss.

The negative affects of smoking on the body have long since been recognized. It is general knowledge that smoking increases the risk of contracting several illnesses and diseases as well as having a significant morbidity and mortality rate. Added to the list of diseases that smoking puts one at risk for is osteoporosis. It has been more than twenty years now since smoking was first named as a risk factor for osteoporosis. Recent studies have been able to demonstrate a direct link between tobacco use and a decrease in bone density.

Smoking seems to impact osteoporosis in several ways. Smoking not only reduces the peak bone mass attained early on in life but also increases the rate of bone loss in older adults. While everyone loses bone mass as they age, if there is not an adequate supply to begin with than the effects can be devastating. This weakening of the bone structure is what causes fractures and breaks to occur more easily. Most studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of suffering a fracture. It has been shown that the longer one smokes and the more they smoke, the greater the risk of fracture later in life. Smokers take longer to heal from fractures then non-smokers. Studies also suggest that exposure from second hand smoke in youth may lead to the development of lower than average bone mass.

It is difficult to accurately analyze and conclude the effect that smoking has on osteoporosis since there are several factors involved. Smokers tend to be thinner, more sedentary than nonsmokers, Statistically smokers are more likely to consume more alcohol and women who smoke undergo menopause at a younger age than those who do not smoke. All of these are defined as other risk factors for osteoporosis as they are all associated with low bone mass. So in theory one who smokes can have several more risk factors than one who does not smoke.

While it may be difficult to determine exactly how much smoking alone increases the risk of osteoporosis, studies have concluded that quitting smoking reduces the risk of low bone mass and fractures. Smoking also impacts the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Since hormone replacement therapy is often used and smoking interferes with the effects of estrogen and testosterone.

Juvenile osteoporosis is a very rare but serious condition. It typically occurs between the ages of 8 and 14, but can occur in younger children most often during growth spurts. Doctors refer to this as secondary osteoporosis. When it does occur, it is usually due to a medication or underlying medical condition or a genetic disorder. However, sometimes, no cause can be found and the disease is categorized as an extremely rare form of osteoporosis, called idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. No matter what causes it, juvenile osteoporosis can be a significant problem because it occurs during the body's peak bone-building years. From birth through young adulthood, children steadily accumulate bone mass, which usually peaks somewhere in the mid 20's.

Some causes of secondary osteoporosis in children include juvenile arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, malabsorption syndromes, anorexia nervosa and kidney disease. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily, often from no apparent cause. Frequent use of certain medications such as anti-convulsants, or anti-seizure medications, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or conditions that lead to prolonged immobility may cause or increase risk of osteoporosis.

Juvenile osteoporosis, like other types is often a silent disease and does not present any symptoms until the child breaks a bone with minimal trauma. Along with a complete medical history and physical examination a doctor may diagnose the condition from family history, blood tests, x-rays of the broken bone and skeletal system, or by using a bone density test. Treatment methods usually include the same methods that are used for prevention. These methods include increasing the child's dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D and may include dietary supplements. Taking care to maintain an appropriate body weight and increasing physical activity along with a regimen of weight bearing exercise. Limiting sugar intake, and minimizing caffeine are important to both treatment and prevention. Medications may also be prescribed to help minimize or maintain symptoms.

In rare cases, the cause of juvenile osteoporosis can't be determined. Doctors refer to this as idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis. Signs and symptoms include pain in the lower back, hips and feet, and difficulty walking. Most children with this condition have a complete recovery of bone tissue within two to four years after their diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for this type of osteoporosis since it most often resolves itself spontaneously. Some treatments that may be effective include physical therapy, medications to manage symptoms of the disease, and protective measures to help prevent fracture.

Some groups of children may be more likely to have poor bone health and are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis in childhood, adolescence or advanced age.

Children who may be at increased risk are premature and low birth weight infants who have lower-than-expected bone mass in the first few months of life, Children with cerebral palsy and other conditions causing limited weight bearing and Adolescent girls who have minimal, delayed or irregular menstrual cycles because of strenuous athletic training, emotional stress, or low body weight.

What happens is this:

Estrogen is needed to help combat osteoporosis; however, when women go through menopause, their estrogen levels decrease, resulting in bone loss. Some say that this condition is not genetically based, but rather it stems from pediatric.

In a nutshell, when a person does not have sufficient calcium intake, this condition can lead to osteoporosis, which can result in bones that can fracture when the person falls. Even when children lack enough calcium intake throughout the years, this similar deficiency begins to show. So in short, what you need and everyone needs to live a much longer, happier and healthier life – while trying to live with and fight off advanced stages of osteoporosis – - is enough calcium.

And yet while there are quite a few articles focusing on osteoporosis, not so many focus on osteomyelitis, which could lead to osteoporosis, as a result of inflammation of bone and marrow that can cause infections. In fact, people need to learn more in general about arthritis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, and Osteogenic Sarcoma plus other related disease and issues, as the diagnosis is related in a similar manner across the board.

And as such, here are some helpful health care tips to help you and your loved ones combat the various bone diseases, while still protecting your selves:

_ Focus on a healthy diet that includes plenty of Vitamin C and D, plenty of protein, and lots of calcium.

_ Get plenty of rest, exercise, fluids, heat therapy as needed on troubled joint and bone areas and good, clean skin care, protected from the outside elements with sunscreen.

_ If you are at potential risk for bone disease, opt for a diet rich in calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals and boron.

_ Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake.

_ Exercise regularly at least 30 minutes two times a day.

In summary, if you or someone in your family suffers pain from any bone-realted disease, use care to protect the painful areas. When possible, immobilize any pain-stricken areas. And strengthen your muscles and joints with medically-approved exercise, which will also strengthen the bones.

It is estimated that up to half of all women will experience an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Besides their sex, there are several other factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis that are related to women. Risk factors for osteoporosis include race, body type, family history, smoking, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, certain medications, anorexia nervosa, and low estrogen levels.

Osteoporosis is of special concern to women since they make up about 80% of the population of those living with osteoporosis. Women are four times more likely then men to develop osteoporosis. This may be because women have less bone mass to begin with and they live longer then men. After peak bone mass is reached, all adults start to lose bone mass at a stable rate. As women age estrogen levels decrease and the risk of osteoporosis increases because the loss of estrogen speeds up the rate of bone loss.

Since most women are already at-risk, prevention should start early and be maintained throughout life. Hormones play a big part in bone health. Women who take birth control pills during their reproductive years may reduce their risk of osteoporosis developing later in life, women who have had children also seem to have a slightly lower risk. Hormone therapy is often a treatment for women experiencing menopause symptoms and helps to prevent osteoporosis. Studies show that up to half of all women do not get the recommended amount of calcium in their diets.

Calcium is vital to bone health along with vitamin D. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seafood. Milk is also fortified with Vitamin D along with a few other foods; Vitamin D can also be obtained by getting enough sunshine. Dietary supplements may be advisable if adequate amounts of calcium are not taken in. Exercise in combination with calcium has shown to be the best prevention against osteoporosis. A balanced diet and regular weight bearing exercise builds and maintains strong bones because it helps to increase bone mass. The more steps a woman takes to prevent osteoporosis while younger the better the chance of getting osteoporosis and suffering from painful fractures when older.

Osteoporosis is quite common. Millions of people are currently living with the condition. Doctors and patients alike would agree that knowledge is the key. The more you know about the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the better your chances of staying active and independent. The key to managing osteoporosis is to prevent as much bone loss as possible with a good diet, healthy habits, and proper exercise. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you do not have to live in fear.

There are certain things you can do to help yourself stay as active as possible. One of the best ways to keep your bones healthy is to stay active. It's especially important to practice proper daily posture. When standing you should hold your head high, and point your feet straight ahead. You should never stoop or slouch. When sitting you should choose upright chairs with arms and always keep your head, back, and hips aligned. Your hips and knees should be at the same level. When bending or lifting you should always bend from the knees or legs, never at the waist and never lift anything more than 10 pounds. Exercise with osteoporosis can help to rebuild and maintain bone strength, and reduce the risk of falls. A program of moderate, regular exercise like walking, dancing, or gardening can strengthen your bones, help prevent falls and be effective for osteoporosis management. At least 30 minutes of physical activity every day, strength training 2-3 times a week and balance training once a week. To build and maintain your bone strength, there are two specific types of strength training exercises. Weight bearing exercise calls on bones and muscles to work against gravity and bear weight. Resistance exercise uses muscles in ways that help improve muscle mass and strengthen bones.

One unfortunate, and less common factor of living with osteoporosis may be chronic pain. Chronic pain is associated with spinal fractures. But pain killing drugs, drug free therapies, and alternative therapies or a combination can help. Many find that acupuncture; reflexology and relaxation techniques are very helpful. There are TENS machines which use tiny pulses of electricity to block pain. Use of heat or ice may also help to reduce pain and muscle spasms. Surgery may also be an option.