With more than 10 million casualties, and probably 34 million more, osteoporosis is already considered a major health problem. Falsely identified by many as a women’s disease,osteoporosis in men is also common though not to the same extent as with women. The progress of this disease is largely caused by several factors.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by the thinning of the bones or lowering of bone mineral density. It is a silent disease which Is often detected only after a fracture has occurred. Some of the most important factors of this brittle bone disease are hormones, nutrition and lifestyle.

Hormones. One of the functions of female sex hormone estrogen is directly responsible to the maintenance of bone density by reducing bone resorption while increasing bone formation. For this reason, women during their menopausal stage have a higher risk of acquiring the disease. In the case of men, those who are dealing with hypogonadism – a situation where one produces less or no sex hormones are more likely to develop this disease.

Vitamins and Minerals. Vitamins and minerals are the 
keys to having healthy bones – specifically vintamin D and calcium. Calcium stored in the bones keep them strong and enhances their density. On the other hand, vitamin D works by aiding in the absorption and regulation of calcium throughout the body.

Lifestyle. Excessive intake of alcohol has been observed to significantly decrease the bone density. Furthermore, cigarette smoking is also believed to cause rapid bone loss. On a different note, the effects of caffeine in vitamin D absorption and calcium excretion have been thought to contribute to bone breakdown.

Moreover, mobility plays an important role in the regulation of the calcium in the bones. A inactive lifestyle could lead to the progress of osteoporosis; thus, exercising regularly is advocated particularly if you are at high risk of developing the disease. 

Aforementioned contributing factors are modifiable ones which means they can be changed in order to elope the disease. By and large, prevention of the disease is better than treating it with bisphosphonates like Fosamax. Such drugs have been in a bad light and there are even patients who are contending for a Fosamax lawsuit after being allegedly harmed by the drug.