Osteoporosis : A Devastating Bone Disease

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps (nof.org). This skeletal disease is characterized by the increase in the fragility of bones as a result of reduced bone mass density and the deformation of the structure of bone tissue (Angin,Erden,Can, 849). Many patients with osteoporosis are instructed by their doctor to exercise; as this will improve their rehabilitation of this disease and lessen the pain associated with it.

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by structural deterioration of bone tissue and reduced bone mineral density(BMD). Consequences include increased pain, increased risk of fracture, loss of mobility, and death (Osteoporosis Canada 2014).

Osteoporosis is a treatable disease, but not a curable one. There are different types of treatment for osteoporosis. Some of the medications that can be taken for treatment of osteoporosis are estrogen, bisphosphonates, calcitionin, raloxifene, parathyroid hormone, and testosterone replacement (UCSF Medical Center, 2010). Some of the more common names for bisphosphonates are Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, and Reclast (Mayo Clinic, 2009). These treatments are taken orally once a week or once a month. In addition to the medications, there is also the treatment of exercise and diet. With a diet high in calcium, stopping unhealthy habits, like smoking and drinking, and regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures in people with osteoporosis (The New York Times, 2010). In Ms. Duckworth’s incident, it would be recommended that she increase the amount of calcium in her diet and exercise, and depending on the severity of the osteoporosis, medication.

Osteoporosis is a detrimental bone condition, the tissue in the bones deteriorate and thus the bones become progressively brittle which presents a risk for rupture. Osteoporosis impacts more than 44 million Americans and is linked to a suggested 2 million bone fractures each year. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the amount of fissures due to osteoporosis may escalate above 3 million by the year 2025. Osteoporosis is typically undetected and advances with slight warning signs until a fissure ensues. Effects of osteoporosis encompass height reduction and a curved upper back, anyone can have osteoporosis, however it is prevalent in elderly women and many may break a bone due to this condition. Recovery and prevention are vital in combating osteoporosis, though it may never be eradicated one can take measures to stabilize bone density and gain strength.

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.

Osteoporosis is developed when the bones lose minerals (such as calcium) too quickly and the body cannot replace them fast enough. This causes bone density to decrease and the bones to become porous, making them more fragile and susceptible to breaking. There are many risk factors for osteoporosis, some of which can be changed, some of which cannot. Those that cannot be changed include gender (women are more likely to develop osteoporosis), age (older people have a higher risk), physical build (smaller people have more of a chance), and family history (those with parents who have/had osteoporosis are more at risk). However, factors that can be changed include the level of sex hormones, diet, inactive lifestyle, excessive use of alcohol, smoking,

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which bones become brittle and fragile as a result of tissue loss. Causes of osteoporosis include hormonal changes, deficiency of vitamin D, and, most commonly, deficiency of calcium. Bones affected by osteoporosis are easily fractured, and such fracturing most often occurs in the hip, wrist, or spine. Under normal circumstances, bone tissue is constantly being broken down and subsequently replaced by the human body; however, osteoporosis prevents the creation of new bone. As a result, a net loss of bone tissue occurs since no new tissue is available to replace the old tissue. With age, bone mass loss increases faster than does bone mass creation. There is currently no known cure for the disease. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is an intricate chronic disease that regularly goes undetected for multiple years before symptoms such as a bone fracture occur (Huether & McCance, 2012). It is a disease that compromises bone density, making it porous and is a serious health threat to aging adults (Watts, 2011). According to Huether & McCance (2012), Osteoporosis is not necessarily a result of the aging progression but it is the most common disease that affects bone, and it is most common in elderly individuals. During osteoporosis, there is a point where new bone is not being made faster than the old bone is being reabsorbed, leaving the bones to be porous and weak, with low density. Eventually, the weak bone becomes so weak that it is unable to support

     Osteoporosis can be prevented. Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis. Studies show that exercises requiring muscles to pull on bones, cause the bones to retain and perhaps even gain density. Researchers found that women who walk a mile a day have four to seven more years of bone in reserve than women who don't. Some of the recommended exercises include: weight-bearing exercises, riding stationary bicycles, using rowing machines, walking, and jogging. Avoiding smoking and watching what you drink can also decrease your chances of acquiring osteoporosis. Most important of all, a diet that includes an adequate amount of calcium (from milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt), vitamin D, and protein

Although common, osteoporosis in a disease that can be prevented to an extent with modified lifestyle choices including nutrition and exercise. When considering bone health, the

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition which bones become weak and brittle. Decreased mass is what makes the bones weak. Hormonal changes, lack of calcium, or vitamin D can cause this disorder. This disorder is commonly defined as “porous bone.” When the bone is affected by Osteoporosis, the holes in the honeycomb structure becomes larger and the overall density is lower than usual, which is why the bone is more likely to break. Some of the signs and symptoms are back pain that is caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, an incline posture, and a bone fracture that happens much more easily than expected. This disorder cannot be cured. Treatments for this are to get enough calcium and vitamin D. Medications can also

Osteoporosis is a condition when the bones become weak and brittle because the body loses

Most fragility fractures cause acute pain and loss of function although the recovery and rehabilitation vary between fracture types. Almost every hip fracture leads to hospitalization and its recovery is slow and rehabilitation is often incomplete. Many patients require nursing home care following a hip fracture. Vertebral fracture may occur without serious symptoms but a new vertebral fracture often occurs after a prior vertebral fracture (Kanis et al, 2004; Klotzbuecher, 2000) and the consequent disability increases with the number of fractures. Fragility fracture is also associated with increased mortality, with the exception of forearm fracture (Cooper et al, 1993). A Swedish study showed hip fracture accounts more than 1% of all events which causes death (Kanis et al, 2003). This figure is somewhat higher than the percentage of deaths attributed to pancreatic cancer and somewhat lower than the percentage of deaths attributed to breast