WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that affects over 1 million Australians. It results in a reduced bone mineral density, which increases the risk of fracture.
Fractures can lead to chronic pain, which can eventuate as a disability.
WHAT IS OSTEOPENIA?
Osteopenia is a classification of decreased bone mineral density that is not low enough to be categorised as osteoporosis. I.e. Bone density one standard deviation below the average of a 30 year old woman. As we age bone cells are reabsorbed by the body faster than it can be produced. In doing so we lose bone mass and increase the risk of fracture. Contributing factors include:
- Eating/metabolism disorders
- Chemotherapy, medicines
- Steroids
- Excess radiation
WHAT IS OSTEOMALACIA?
Osteomalacia is a disorder of defective bone mineralization, which causes the softening of bones. It is a result of inadequate phosphorus and calcium, which can be due to hyperparathyroidism. It is not limited to adults, it is also found in children and termed rickets. The most common cause of the disorder is a vitamin D deficiency, which will give symptoms of body pains, muscle weakness and fragile bones.
