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Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis Rehabilitation

Abstract

Throughout the life span, bone undergoes periodic remodeling, a dual process of bone formation and resorption. Physiologic and hormonal mechanisms direct this balance of bone gain and bone loss through the action of two types of bone cells—osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoporosis is caused by the excessive breakdown of bone structure, inadequate bone formation, or an imbalance in the activity between osteoblasts and osteoclasts.

The risk of osteoporosis and its severity is influenced by a variety of controllable and uncontrollable factors. Controllable factors include dietary deficiencies in vitamin D and calcium, high caffeine intake, an inactive lifestyle compromised by smoking and alcohol consumption, and intentional weight loss implemented at the expense of overall nutritional status. Uncontrollable risk factors include age greater than 75 years old, female gender, postmenopausal status, family history, low body weight with thin build, or sudden unintentional weight loss from illness. Other factors may also be unavoidable, including medications used to treat other medical conditions that cause either direct bone loss or impaired absorption of essential vitamins and minerals that maintain bone.

This chapter considers the characteristics of primary and secondary osteoporosis and their underlying molecular mechanisms, medications (especially glucocorticoids) that decrease bone formation, and the impact of fractures and falls. These defining elements are evident not only in the basic disease but also in its relation to concomitant disorders described later in this volume.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Christina V. Oleson

  2. Neurologic Clinical Specialist, Department of Physical Therapy, Thomas Jefferson University/Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Amanda B. Morina

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  1. Christina V. Oleson
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Correspondence to Christina V. Oleson .

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Oleson, C.V., Morina, A.B. (2017). Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis. In: Osteoporosis Rehabilitation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45084-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45084-1_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45082-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-45084-1

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