Essay On Osteoporosis

The management of osteoporosis patients start with the diagnosis by rolling out secondary causes and then confirm it by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). After that, begin the treatment with lifestyle changes, pharmacological medications, and surgery for some fractures if needed. In this essay I will cover generally the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of osteoporosis in five steps.

Osteoporosis, meaning porous bone from the Greek language, is bone disease that gradually and steadily wears down bone tissue and its living cells. This wearing down will eventually cause the cells of bone tissue to degrade and die, leaving their “scaffolding” to be the only things only bone together. Without living cells to take up a home in this scaffolding, minor injuries such as falls, bumping into objects, and pressure that would normally be completely and would not pose any threat to bone tissue suddenly becomes a real hazard that can easily pose a threat to one’s well-being. Osteoporosis affects a person skeletal system.

As generally stated in the introduction, osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder that involves the strength and integrity of one’s bones. The WHO defines osteoporosis as, “a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by low-bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue, increased bone fragility, and its susceptibly to recurrent fractures.” 2 The most important factor to take into account when addressing osteoporosis is the mass of bone, also referred to as, bone mineral density (BMD). As bone mass begins to decline, typically in the older population, specifically postmenopausal women, individuals are at an increased risk for fractures.3 As a result of this serious condition, many people are affected by morbidity, mortality, and economic difficulty.1

Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the bones generally brought on by the process of aging, unfortunately there can also be a number of underlying or secondary causes; however, preventative care and drug treatments can minimize the severity of this prevalent disease. Osteoporosis has been estimated to affect more than 200 million people worldwide (Bethel, 2015). According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 9.9 million Americans have osteoporosis and an additional 43.1 million have low bone density.

A disease of long duration is a chronic disease. Osteoporosis is considered chronic and this paper will discuss what it means, what the risk factors and who is affected, this paper will address the symptoms to look out for and when to go to the doctor. Nutrition and what proper exercise can do to help prevent or slow down the progression caused by osteoporosis, and then the paper will list prevention and treatment options. May is osteoporosis month and this encourages free screenings for those who may have chances for osteoporosis!

(Kling, J. M., Clarke, B. L., & Sandhu, N. P., 2014, p. 567). Osteoporosis risk factors

Osteoporosis is an age related disorder, more common in females compared to males. Osteoporosis is defined as a “skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength predisposing to increased risk of fractures (Manolagaas, 2014). Osteoporosis is defined as “a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue (What is osteoporosis?2014). Osteoporosis is sometimes also referred as “silent thief” as the bone loss occurs very slowly and silently without any symptoms (Osteoporosis facts & statistics.2014). The most common site for fracture due to osteoporosis is hip followed by humerus (Woltman & den Hoed, 2010) . Osteoporosis can occur at any age, although it is a disorder common in females (especially post-menopausal females). Everyone is prone to osteoporosis (Osteoporosis facts & statistics.2014). According to Osteoporosis Canada, 1 in 3 Canadian females and 1 in 5 Canadian males may suffer fractures due to osteoporosis during their lifetime (Osteoporosis facts & statistics.2014). Canadian health care system spends 1.2 billion dollars for the acute hospitalization caused by osteoporosis and in 2010 the health care system spent 3.9 billion dollars for the total treatment of osteoporosis (Osteoporosis facts & statistics.2014). Osteoporosis can be screened and diagnosed by various methods; however the dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used. If the T-score values are less than -1 and greater than -2.5SD it is termed as osteopenia,

More information is required, such as dates for all occurrences and personal medical history, allowing better insight, to possible secondary causes of osteoporosis (OP).

There are two types of osteoporosis that have been identified which are primary and secondary. Osteoporotic bones are thin and brittle and are prone to fracture. The bone loss involves both compact and spongy bone. In type I osteoporosis, which occurs typically in postmenopausal women, spongy bone loss predominates, occurring most prominently in the vertebrae and distal radius (Gueldner, Burke, Smiciknas-Wright, 2000). Major complications of type I osteoporosis are crush fractures of the vertebral bodies and the distal end of the radius. Type II, or old-age, osteoporosis is characterized by a proportional loss of compact and spongy bone of the long bones (Gueldner, Burke, Smiciknis-Wright). The most serious fractures of old age are those of

There are both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis. Well known non-modifiable risk factors include age, female gender, family history of osteoporosis, being fair-skinned and having European descent. Women who

Osteoporosis is a disease that is continuing to increase in numbers; as a result, the cost of care for individuals with the disease is also increasing. In 2005, seventeen billion dollars were spent to care for osteoporosis injuries. It is projected by 2050 that individuals over sixty-five years of age will increase from thirty-two million to sixty-nine million in the United States (AACE, 2010). Therefore more individuals will develop osteoporosis with age. From 2005 to 2025, with increasing age, estimated costs are expected to rise from seventeen billion dollars to twenty-five billion dollars (AACE, 2010). With outstanding projected figures, efforts to reverse the economical stance are focused on screenings, prevention, diagnosing,

According to Osteoporosis (2011) “United States has the highest rate in the world in cases of osteoporosis. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) estimates that 10 million people (8 million women and 2 million men) in the United States have osteoporosis as of 2012” (Page 10).

The pathophysiology of how strong bone becomes osteoporotic is an interesting process. The body is continuously trying to maintain a sense of homeostasis and keep every cell and organ within the body at a constant state of happiness. During the homeostatic process, cells of bone are continuously undergoing processes of formation and resorption. This all-inclusive progression of building up bone occurs throughout life and is the key in modifying bones during trauma or just natural growth (Van der Kamp, 2012). Bone cells that assist with formation of bone are called osteoclasts, and bone cells that assist with the resorption of bone are called osteoclasts.

Osteoporosis is a disease in the bones that usually start for women after menopause. Osteoporosis is a disorder in the skeletal that is characterized by low bone density and the deterioration of bony tissue. According to the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published in 2009 states that osteoporosis happens when bone density has been reduced. Osteoporosis lies on fractures that occur in our lives and the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur in our distal forearms, hip bones, wrists and most importantly it occurs in the vertebrae discs, which result in a major health problem. According to the Postgraduate Medical Journal published in 2003 it states that the deterioration of bony tissue results in an increase in fracture risk. It also states that by the age 85, white women have a 3% annual incidence of hip

Nearly 55 million Americans are estimated to have osteoporosis, making it one of the most common diseases among American seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men over the age of 50 will end up a broken bone as a result of osteoporosis. In fact, according to May Clinic,