Osteoporosis Risk Increased with Inflammatory Conditions
Many autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can be categorized as inflammatory diseases – when the immune system starts to attack itself, it creates inflammation, just like it would if it were fighting off a bacteria or virus. There are also many inflammatory conditions such as celiac disease, crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis that aren’t always created by an autoimmune response, but can have increased reactions in the body. In addition to causing many side effects, this inflammation predisposes the body to develop other inflammation-related diseases. One of these diseases is osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of the body’s bones, making them somewhat brittle and prone to fracture. It is more common in women, but those with inflammatory conditions or autoimmune diseases may have a double whammy when it comes to osteoporosis.
There are many reasons why increased inflammation in the body leads to increased risk of osteoporosis. A large level of inflammation for long periods of time is toxic to the body, and it can destroy tissues and bone minerals. Those who have inflammatory conditions often attempt to control inflammation through large doses of steroids, which has been shown in studies to increase the risk of bone density loss. Also, those with autoimmune diseases often have a concurrent Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is critical for bone development, and a deficiency can increase bone loss.
If you have an inflammatory disease and you would like to be screened for osteoporosis or are interested in decreasing your risk, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
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