Osteoporosis : Aging, Menopause, And Lack Of The Body Frame Size Essay

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.

in the development and onset of this disease. Sex hormones, such as estrogen previously mentioned, as well as testosterone in men can help build and maintain healthy bones. When these hormone levels decrease, which is not uncommon in old age, the chance for osteoporosis increase significantly.

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 medical condition in which the bones become brittle from the loss of tissue, generally as a result of specific changes. Risk factors that take part in the disease are things such as unchangeable risks like sex, age, race, family history and the size of the individual. Other risk factors include hormone levels and medication as well as dietary factors and life choices. Life choices that play a role are sedentary lifestyle these are people who spend a lot of time sitting have a higher risk of osteoporosis than do their more-active counterparts, weight-bearing exercise is beneficial for your bones to ensure the bone remolding cycle ensures them to grow strong (MayoClinic, 2013). Common symptoms that one should take into

396). When blood calcium needs to be replenished, the trabecular bone gives up minerals. The loss of trabecular bone is significantly apparent in men and women in their 30s. However, the trabecular bone can start to desintegrate whenever calcium withdrawals exceed deposits. Furthermore, cortical bone also gives up calcium, however this occurs at a slower and steadier pace. The cortical bone begins to give up ususally around someone in their 40s. Therefore, as bone loss continues, bone density begins to decline, which causes osteoporosis to become apparent. For instance, "Bones become so fragil that even the body's own weight can overburden the spine - vertebrae may suddenly disintegrate and crush down, painfully pinching major nerves" (Whitney & Rolfes, 2013, p. 396). Nonmodifiable risk factors for osteoporosis tend to occur in the older age, female gender, smaller frame Caucasian, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino. In addition, it occurs in people with family history of osteoporosis or fractures. However, modifiable risk factors include, sedentary lifestyle, diet inadequare in clacium and vitamin D, diet excessive in protein, sodium, caffeine, cigarrette smoking, alcohole abuse and low

Osteoporosis if often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know that they have the disease until their bones become so weak that sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse. Collapsed certebrae may initially be felt or seen in the form of severe back pain, loss of height, or spinal deformities such as kyphosis or stooped posture. Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporsis than others. Factors that increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis are called "risk factors." The following risk factors have been identified: Being female thin and/or small frame, Advanced age, a family history of osteoporosis Postmenopause, including early or surgically enduced menopause. Abnormal absence of menstral period, anorexia, nervosa, or bulimia. A diet of low in calcium use of certain

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,

• Excess alcohol - small amounts of alcohol do not increase osteoporosis risk and may even be beneficial, but chronic heavy drinking (alcohol intake greater than 2 units/day),[7] especially at a younger age, increases risk significantly.[8]

Osteoporosis occurs when bones lose their strength and density. They become fragile, weak, and brittle, this means that the bones are more likely to fracture. Osteoporosis particularly affects women after menopause and in their later years. However, some men may also be affected. Activity and a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis. It affects one of every two women and one out of every five men, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Osteoporosis often does not cause symptoms. A fracture might be the first sign of the disease, especially if it results from a fall or injury that would not usually break a bone. Other signs and symptoms include:

There are multiple factors that can result in osteoporosis. The unpreventable risk factors include, age, race, lifestyle choices, and medical conditions or treatments. The main determining factor being age.

Currently in my family my mother and my grandmother both have osteoporosis. “Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones” ("Osteoporosis", 2012). Osteoporosis can cause bones to break very easily. All it takes is the slightest accident and you can end up with a fracture or a complete break. The spine, hips, ribs and wrists are the most common bones broken because of this disorder. All of these most often are a result in a fall, but can happen at any point during a slight trauma. Currently there is about 55% of the population over the age of 50 that have osteoporosis or osteopenia. ("Osteoporosis", 2012) “One in two Caucasian women will

     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

Osteoporosis is often called “the silent disease” because there are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. As time progresses, the bones become weak and common signs and symptoms may include loss of height, bone fracture, back pain, a stooped posture, and a humped back known as dowager’s hump or kyphosis. Most people do not know that they have osteoporosis until they have a sudden bump, strain or fall that causes a bone to fracture (Lewis, p.1635). The most common type of fracture occurs in the bones of the vertebrae, forearm, femoral neck, and proximal humerus. Differential diagnosis for osteoporosis include osteoarthritis, osteomalacia or rickets, inadequate mineralization of existing bone matrix (osteoid), multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, paget disease of bone, renal osteodystrophy (Papadakis & McPhee, para.2).