Some Medical Treatments increase Osteoporosis Occurrence

Secondary osteoporosis is caused by certain diseases and treatments that interfere with bone density and cause bone loss. Research from the Journal of Osteoporosis shows that secondary osteoporosis affects at least 21 percent of men and 17.5 percent of women.

A number of medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors can cause secondary osteoporosis. Common medical disorders that contribute to secondary osteoporosis are cancers that cause bone loss including bone, breast, and prostate cancers, as well as hormonal imbalance conditions (such as hyperthyroidism, a condition that causes excessive thyroid function).

Kidney or liver failure can also cause secondary osteoporosis, as can rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes severe throughout the body. In addition, another cause is scurvy, a condition caused by severe vitamin C deficiency.

Medications that may contribute to the development of secondary osteoporosis include:

·         Corticosteroids. These medications treat a variety of conditions and have been long known to cause bone loss.

·         Hormone treatments.

·         Lithium. Drugs with lithium are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder.

·         Chemotherapy treatments.

Some lifestyle factors may also contribute to secondary osteoporosis, including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and not eating enough foods rich in vitamin D and calcium.