The bones of people with osteoporosis become thin and weak. The word "osteo" comes from the Greek osteon meaning "bone", while "porosis" comes from the Greek poros meaning "hole, passage". According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, osteoporosis is a "reduction
in the quantity of bone or atrophy of skeletal tissue; an age-related
disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and loss of normal
skeletal microarchitecture, leading to increased susceptibility to
fractures."
If osteoporosis is not prevented, or if it is left untreated, it can progress without causing any pain until a bone breaks - most likely the hip bone, a bone in the spine, or the wrist. A hip fracture invariably requires hospitalization and major surgery. Hip fractures generally lead to serious walking disability and sometimes death if left untreated. Fractures of the spine or vertebrae can sometimes result in loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.
If osteoporosis is not prevented, or if it is left untreated, it can progress without causing any pain until a bone breaks - most likely the hip bone, a bone in the spine, or the wrist. A hip fracture invariably requires hospitalization and major surgery. Hip fractures generally lead to serious walking disability and sometimes death if left untreated. Fractures of the spine or vertebrae can sometimes result in loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.
What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis develops very slowly over a period of many years. The condition may creep up on the patient without any obvious symptoms initially - it can take several months, and even several years to become noticeable. Early signs of osteoporosis may include:- Joint pains
- Difficulty standing
- Difficulty sitting up straight. The stooping position often seen among elderly people is a visible sign of possible osteoporosis.
