What causes osteoporosis?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 8, 2025.
What causes the bones of people with osteoporosis to become thin and weak?
Osteoporosis occurs when our bodies do not make enough new bone or our bodies reabsorb old bone, or both. It is a bone disease characterised by the thinning of bone and loss of bone density often resulting in a bone fracture (broken bone).
Our bones can be weakened in several ways:
- Calcium is a mineral essential to bone production. We get Calcium through our diet. If we do not get enough calcium in our diet bone production suffers.
- As we age our body can reabsorb calcium from our bones leaving our bones weak, brittle, fragile and prone to fracture.
This bone loss happens gradually over years and it often is not picked up until a fracture occurs and by then the osteoporosis is well advanced.
For more information on causes and treatments visit:
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Teriparatide (Forteo), is a synthetic form of parathyroid hormone - a hormone produced naturally by the body which helps maintain blood levels of calcium within a very tight range; which in turn controls calcium levels within bone - determining how strong and dense the bones are. Continue reading
What's the difference between Prolia and Reclast?
Prolia (denosumab) and Reclast (zoledronic acid) are injections that can be used to treat or prevent osteoporosis. But they each work differently because Prolia is a monoclonal antibody (it may also be called a miscellaneous bone resorption agent) and Reclast is a bisphosphonate which means they have different side effects, other uses, tolerability, and effectiveness profiles. Both are prescription medicines. One of the main problems with Prolia is safely stopping it. Continue reading
How do you give a Prolia injection?
Prolia is a prescription medicine injected under the skin (called a subcutaneous injection) and is given once every 6 months. You do not give Prolia to yourself. You will receive your Prolia injection from your healthcare provider at a their office or clinic. Continue reading
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