Index Etiology and risk factors Pathophysiological processes Clinical manifestations and complications Conclusion References Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a common bone disorder. It is characterized by reduced bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue due to bone resorption that exceeds bone formation. Deterioration of bone tissue and reduced bone mass lead to bone fragility and an increased risk of spontaneous fractures (Hubert & VanMeter, 2018). The estimated prevalence is approximately 10 million in the United States, with many more individuals at increased risk due to low bone mass. Although women are at greater risk, a significant number of men have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. This condition is a contributing factor in approximately 1.5 million fractures each year. Often there are no signs or symptoms, and osteoporosis is not diagnosed until a fracture occurs. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends routine screening for all women age 65 and older and for postmenopausal women younger than age 65 with predisposing factors associated with increased fracture risk such as family history of fractures , smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and body sag. weight. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Etiology and Risk Factors Bone mass typically reaches its peak in young adulthood, then begins to gradually decline throughout life. Declining bone mass and strength increases the risk of spinal fractures in minor trauma accidents. The rate of decline in bone mass includes many contributing factors. The most significant factor contributing to bone mass decline is gonadal steroid deficiency. Other contributing factors include lifestyle and environmental factors such as poor diet or malabsorption disorders, which lead to vitamin D, calcium and protein deficiencies, smoking, high caffeine intake and a sedentary lifestyle. Hormonal factors such as hyperparathyroidism can also increase bone loss. Osteoporosis is an age-related disease. Although a significant number of men are diagnosed with it, women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis due to menopausal transitions. Additional non-modifiable factors such as culture and genetic predisposition influence the formation of osteoporosis, including Asian and Caucasian individuals, due to typically small and light bone structures. Pathophysiological processes In both men and women, a large decrease in bone mass density begins as early as the third decade of age. life. Bone loss continues throughout life primarily affecting the trabecular bone of the spine. In women, spinal bone loss increases during the transition to menopause. Women also lose cortical bone during the menopause transition. In comparison, due to men not going through menopause, trabecular bone loss is comparatively less than bone loss in women. Loss of trabecular and cortical bone mass results in alterations in skeletal geometry and ultimately results in effects on skeletal strength (Drake et al., 2015). Progressive bone loss and skeletal changes predispose aging adults to an increased risk of fractures. Likewise, the incidence of vertebral fractures in women begins to increase during the menopause period. Clinical manifestations and complications The initial stages of osteoporosis are often asymptomatic. Once a fracture occurs,1