07/29/2020 / By Divina Ramirez
Osteoporosis or “porous bone” is a condition that causes bones to become brittle, raising the risk of falls and fractures that can be fatal in old age.
It is thought that poor calcium intake and eating disorders are the main causes of osteoporosis, but natural health proponent Robert Rister adds that some 25 medical conditions can also bring about bone loss and osteoporosis.
In an article published in SteadyHealth, Rister underscores the importance of detecting these conditions as soon as possible. Doing so can help both patients and healthcare professionals treat the offending disease before it can cause irreparable damage.
Certain medical conditions and medications that might not be related to osteoporosis at all can nonetheless cause the disease. This is called secondary osteoporosis, and treating it depends on the immediate detection and proper identification of the underlying cause.
In his article, Rister listed 25 possible causes of osteoporosis. These conditions can be divided into six groups based on the nature of their pathogenesis.
Autoimmune diseases
These conditions cause immune cells to produce antibodies that attack normal tissues. The cells see the tissues as a disease and attempt to fight it, generating inflammation that can damage bone.
Diseases or complications due to malabsorption
These conditions can either be a symptom or a byproduct of malabsorption, a clinical term that refers to a difficulty or inability to digest food and absorb nutrients. In effect, malabsorption keeps calcium, an essential mineral for bone health, from reaching the bones.
Iron overload
Excess iron has been found to affect the process of bone formation, resulting in osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Kidney disease
Bone loss is common among kidney disease patients because of the vital role that the kidneys play in keeping calcium inside the bones. Dysfunctional kidneys release excess hormones into the blood that move calcium from inside the bones and into the blood.
Blood-related disorders
Hematological or blood-related disorders are often linked to osteoporosis because blood is a vital basis of bone formation.
Complications due to medications
Taking medications for certain conditions can also cause side effects that damage bones and lead to osteoporosis. In particular, medications prescribed for certain conditions can interfere with calcium absorption, trigger bone loss and deplete potassium levels – another essential mineral for bone formation:
Conditions whose medicines can lead to osteoporosis include:
On top of these medical conditions, numerous other factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition and lack of exercise, can contribute to poor bone health and bone loss in later life.
To curb poor bone health and minimize the risk of osteoporosis, eat a balanced diet rich in calcium-rich foods. Exercising on a regular basis also aids in maintaining strong bones and muscles even in old age. (Related: Can acupuncture be used to treat osteoporosis?)
Read more articles about osteoporosis and bone health at NaturalHealth.news.
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Tagged Under: arthritis, autoimmune diseases, blood disorder, bone health, bone loss, iron overload, kidney disease, liver disease, malabsorption, osteoporosis