Final answer:
Osteoporosis is the condition wherein bone density decreases and bones become fragile, often leading to fractures. It typically affects older adults due to an imbalance in bone resorption and formation and is exacerbated by factors such as hormonal changes, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Osteoporosis and Bone Density
The condition characterized by the progressive loss of bone density and thinning of bone tissue is known as osteoporosis. This disorder generally affects older adults and leads to brittle and fragile bones that are prone to fractures. Osteoporosis occurs when the balance between bone resorption and bone formation is disrupted, often as a result of aging, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of physical activity. Bones lose essential minerals such as calcium and phosphate, and this increases their susceptibility to breaking from minor stresses or even spontaneously.
The disease is distinct from other bone diseases such as Paget's disease, which involves haphazard new bone formation. The testing for osteoporosis in patients with thinning bones includes differentiating it from other diseases and involves checking for markers such as the level of alkaline phosphatase, which is not elevated in osteoporosis as it is in Paget's disease.
Factors contributing to the development of osteoporosis include a lack of estrogen in women post-menopause, insufficient dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a sedentary lifestyle.