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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Wrist Fracture

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

A wrist fracture is a break in one of the bones of the wrist. The wrist joint lies where the two bones of the forearm join the small bones of the hand. The wrist joint normally bends forward and extends backward. A significant amount of force in any one of these directions can cause these bones to break.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

A bone fracture occurs when the force against a bone is greater than the strength of the bone. Common causes of wrist fractures include:

direct blow to the wrist, such as a sports injury

falling onto an outstretched hand

an injury that causes the wrist to bend sharply backward

Factors that increase a person's risk of bone fracture include:

cancers affecting the bone

diet low in calcium or vitamin D

eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia

excess alcohol intake

family history of osteoporosis

medicines such as corticosteroids, certain medicines for seizures, and some medicines used for high blood pressure

hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid gland makes too much parathyroid hormone

hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone

hypogonadism, a condition in which the ovaries in women or testes in men do not function normally

menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries

normal aging, which causes the bones to become more brittle

osteoporosis, or excess bone thinning that results from loss of calcium in the bone

physical abuse, including child abuse, elder abuse, and spousal abuse

rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which the body attacks its own joint tissue

sedentary lifestyle

smoking

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