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Osteoporosis : A Devastating Bone Disease

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Jennifer Skorich
MED 2047
Osteoporosis
Michelle Earixson – Lamothe
11/30/14

Osteoporosis is a devastating bone disease in which bones become porous and brittle and are more susceptible to fractures; according to Johnell O and Kanis JA (2006), “Worldwide, osteoporosis causes more than 8.9 million fractures annually, resulting in an osteoporotic fracture every 3 seconds.” Osteoporosis is the result of several factors including diet and lifestyle choices, age, disease and medications, but the underlying cause is due to bone loss occurring faster than the body can replace it.
To understand this disease we need to first understand that bone is a living organism that consists of cells and living, growing tissue. Bone is rich with blood and nutrients that are supplied to the rest of our body; in fact red blood cell production takes place inside of our bones! Collagen and calcium phosphate are the building blocks of our bones; this combination makes bones both flexible and strong, which allows it to better withstand stress, (emedtv.com n.d.). Bones are consistently being used and replaced throughout your life. When you are in your teens they are replaced at a faster rate than they are used up, this creates dense bones and makes them stronger. But as we age, (30 being our bone density peak), our production/loss, heads the other direction and we begin to lose it faster than it is produced. This imbalance leaves the bone porous and fragile and opens the door to developing

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