Page 12 - Seniors Today June2020

Eating disorders Malnutrition cause a loss of bone strength. It also affects
hormone levels which results in bone weakening.

Alcohol Excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of developing
osteoporosis.

Smoking Excess smoking cause a significant reduction in bone density.

Hypopituitarism- Hypopituitarism can cause a deficiency in cortisol and the
pituitary gland failure usual treatment is long-term replacement with steroids. This
causes Osteoporosis.

Hyperthyroidism- overactive High levels of thyroid hormone can lead to more bone
thyroid breakdown than bone formation and causes osteoporosis

Chronic diseases Certain diseases, and sometimes their treatments, affects
bone strength including chronic liver disease, chronic kidney
disease, coeliac disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and
asthma.

Drugs Certain therapeutic drugs cause bone weakening
steroids chemotherapy drugs used in cancer some drugs used
in epilepsy a diuretic Furosemide heparin

unaware that they have had a fracture.
Changes in posture can also increase the risk
of a fall or lead to difficulty with digestion
or breathing. In addition, people who have
had spinal fractures are more likely to have
further fractures in the future.

Hip fractures
Hip fractures are often the result of
osteoporosis, particularly if you are over 75
Lack of physical activity can reduce bone and muscle years of age.
strength
Hip fractures require hospitalisation and
Vertebral (spinal) fractures surgery. Recovering from a hip fracture
Spinal fractures are common with and surgery can be long and painful and
osteoporosis and can cause significant may mean there is some permanent loss
pain or lead to distortion, particularly of mobility. This loss may lead to reduced
the development of a stooped posture independence or the need for long term care
(kyphosis). Some spinal fractures may lead and you may be more likely to have further
to no symptoms or signs, with women being fractures in the future.

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