But there are a number of secondary causes ...

T are 10 million people living with osteoporosis in the United States today, 18 million have low bone mass, they are at risk for this disease. Many of us are aware of the relationship between low calcium intake and osteoporosis. But there are a number of secondary causes of disease are not well known. Here, endocrinologist Dr. Martin Nydick, New York Presbyterian Hospital, discusses some of these secondary causes. Q: What are the main risk factors for osteoporosis? Loss of estrogen at menopause is the most significant factor. Family history of osteoporosis and certain lifestyles, such as alcohol and smoking, also on common risk factors. Q: What are the secondary causes of disease? Some medications and medical conditions can lead to osteoporosis. Corticosteroids, commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, and drugs of thyroid hormones may put people at risk of osteoporosis. Hyperparathyroidism, where the parathyroid glands in the neck hyperactive, may put people at risk. Some people have difficulty absorbing calcium and vitamin D in their systems, and it lasix 40 mg is a risk factor for osteoporosis as well. For example, lactase deficiency is a very common condition that leads to problems with absorption of lactose in milk. Some of these people with lactase deficiency, perhaps even low-grade form of sprue that intestinal inflammation that can cause malabsorption of various nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D. Q: So what osteoporosis is not just a disease caused by loss of estrogen? No, it's important to always look for secondary causes of the disease. It should never be simply assumed that osteoporosis is a direct result of menopausal estrogen and loss. Q: Some antacids, which is usually assumed that the rich in calcium can cause calcium depletion. Can you explain this? Some antacids contain aluminum and aluminum is actually a poison to the bone. However, this risk factor is probably not significant for most people, if they take a very large number of aluminum-containing antacids. Q: Are there secondary causes of osteoporosis are more common in certain groups of people? The most common cause of osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency, and this deficiency is not a problem in men, we found that disease in men is often due to secondary causes. Approximately 50 percent of men with osteoporosis is usually a secondary cause. Q: Men are often resistant to osteoporosis diagnosis because the disease is more common in older women? Absolutely. The other day I had a patient with osteoporosis, who came with her husband. He was small and bent, and I advised him to take the test on bone density, which is the most reliable diagnostic tool for this disease, and he refused. Q: So it never hurts to talk to your doctor about the risk of the disease, no matter what your sex or your age? This is true. Conclusion Osteoporosis can be a devastating condition. More than 1. 5000000 associated with osteoporosis fractures occur annually, usually in the hip or spine, especially in older women. But osteoporosis is one of the most predotvratimyh disease. Most of the fractures could be avoided or prevented density testing, preventive measures and proper medical treatment. .