Osteoporosis

The bones of your body undergo a constant state of rebuilding and remodeling. Aside from providing rigid support, your bones also store calcium.

Small amounts of calcium are constantly being stores and deleted from the bones. Osteoporosis develops when more bone is being absorbed than is being replaced. The calcium deposits in the bones are thus reduced little by little causing porous openings to form inside the bones. Over time, progressive bone density loss results in weakness and increased possibility of fractures, such as a compression fracture of the vertebrae as shown here. These fractures may heal slowly and poorly. Osteoporosis usually develops over many years with no symptoms. Some factors which aid the progress of osteoporosis include prolonged calcium and protein deficiency and especially low estrogen levels after menopause.