Factors contributing to osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can be the result of one or more of the three factors:
1) accelerated bone loss, e.g. in post-menopausal women or in elderly men
2) suboptimal bone growth during childhood and adolescence resulting in failure to reach peak bone mass; and
3) bone loss secondary to disease conditions or certain drug treatment. In the presence of osteoporosis, fractures can occur from normal lifting and bending, as well as from falls.
Furthermore, osteoporotic fractures, particularly vertebral fractures, can be associated with disabling pain.
