When the body makes too little bone, loses too much bone, or both, the bone disease that occurs is referred to as osteoporosis. Bones become weak, as a result, and can break from something as minor as a bump or sneezing in serious cases, or from a fall.
Healthy bones, when viewed under a microscope, look like a honeycomb. But bones become more porous with osteoporosis. Compared to a healthy bone, there are larger honeycombs (spaces and holes) present. These bones contain abnormal tissue structure because they’ve lost mass and density. They’re more likely to break because they are weak.
Some medicines affect bone density, though osteoporosis is frequently experienced by retirement age individuals, regardless of medication. If you have a loved one who has broken a bone, and they are over the age of 50, it might be time to confer with their physician regarding a bone density test.
In addition to age and medicines, there are various causes of osteoporosis including certain medical procedures and health problems. We’ll explore some osteoporosis contributing factors here.
Hormonal/Endocrine Disorders
- In men, lower levels of estrogen and testosterone
- In women, premature menopause and irregular periods
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism
- Diabetes
Mental Illness
- Eating disorders
- Depression
Bone Marrow and Blood Disorders
- Thalassemia
Nervous/Neurological System Disorders
- Spinal cord injuries
- MS (multiple sclerosis)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
Blood/Hematologic Disorders
- Sickle cell disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Lymphoma and leukemia
Cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
Medical Procedures
- Gastrointestinal bypass
- Gastrectomy
Gastrointestinal and Digestive Disorders
- Weight loss surgery
- IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)
- Celiac disease
Autoimmune Disorders
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
- RA (rheumatoid arthritis)
Other Conditions and Diseases
- Weight loss
- Scoliosis
- Including malnutrition, a poor diet
- Post-polio syndrome and polio
- Organ transplants
- Including biliary cirrhosis, liver disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Female athlete triad (includes excessive exercise, an eating disorder, and loss of menstrual periods)
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including emphysema
- HIV/AIDS
Medications
- Some steroid medicines
- Excess thyroid hormones
- Thiazolidinediones
- Some SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
- PPIs (proton pump inhibitors)
- Methotrexate
- For contraception, medroxyprogesterone
- Lithium
- Heparin
- GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone)
- Tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine A
- Chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer
- Aromatase inhibitors
- Some anti-seizure medicines
- Antacids containing aluminum
Your Best Chance of Staying Happy and Healthy: Our Retirement Community
At our community, thanks to our Dimensions Health and Fitness program, nutritious meals, and numerous resort-like features, staying happy and healthy can be enjoyable and fun. Whether your loved one needs a bit of assistance or can live independently, all of our programs are designed to promote socialization, healthy eating, an active lifestyle, and provide mental stimulation. Our retirement community also schedules events like parties, celebrations, and more to give everyone the opportunity to make friends and thoroughly revel in retirement living.
We are also happy to offer our skilled and knowledgeable care team to assist your loved one with medication management, if they could use a bit of assistance in that category.
Would you like to discuss sales and leasing with a representative? If so, you can phone us at 561.287.6743. With other questions, please phone 561.202-9866. You can also open the lines of communication by filling out and sending in our contact form.
Take time to check out our amazing community. Schedule a tour today.
