Osteoporosis quiz

Although bone density does decrease as we get older (especially after menopause), osteoporosis is a disease, not a natural part of aging. Medical experts now believe that osteoporosis is largely preventable. People who already have osteoporosis can take steps to prevent or slow the progression of the disease, and reduce their risk of fractures.

Osteoporosis is sometimes referred to as a “silent thief” because it usually has no symptoms. Few people realize that they have osteoporosis until their bone health reaches the point where their bones may be at risk for breaking.

During our lifetime, bone is constantly being renewed through a natural process in which old bone is removed and new bone is laid down.  This process is called bone remodelling.  Through this constant process, our bodies can replace our entire skeleton about every 10 years!  The removal of old bone cells is called “resorption,” and depositing new bone tissue is called “formation.”

Typically, old bone cells are dissolved (bone resorption) at the same rate that new bone is deposited (bone formation), so that the quantity and quality of bone are maintained. Osteoporosis is characterized by an imbalance in the bone remodelling cycle: too much bone resorption, not enough bone formation. The imbalance in remodelling leads to a decrease in the amount and quality of bone, which increases the risk of fractures.

During childhood and adolescence, much more bone is deposited than withdrawn, so the skeleton grows in both size and density. Up to 90 per cent of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time to “invest” in your bone health.  Bone mass keeps growing until around age 30. At that point, bones have reached their maximum strength and density, known as peak bone mass.

Estrogen plays a critical role in building and maintaining bone. After menopause, bone loss occurs as the amount of estrogen produced by a woman’s ovaries drops dramatically. Bone loss is most rapid in the first few years after menopause but continues into the postmenopausal years.

Sex, age, family history and smoking are all risk factors for osteoporosis.

Fractures occur most often in bones of the hip, spine and wrist, but any bone can be affected. Some fractures can be permanently disabling, especially when they occur in the hip.