Osteoporosis Research Paper

There are a plethora of health issues that contribute to bone loss, such as nutrition (low calcium consumption) and rarely engaging in exercise, people who have an unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking or extreme alcohol usage are also at risk. “Bone loss in adolescence and early adulthood can be a result of a failure to attain peak bone mineral density, and accelerated bone loss may be particularly noted around menopause and in later years” (Lin, 2014, para. 1). Though the exact cause is unknown, additional sources may include latent health disorders such as thyroid problems.

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

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

The term osteoporosis describes bone loss that is extensive enough to increase the risk of fracture. The term is a general one, not related to any specific cause for the bone loss. Nearly all people with OI have osteoporosis, because they do not develop appropriate bone mass at any age. Women and men with OI can experience additional bone loss, such as age-related bone loss, superimposed on a background of OI. Symptoms of additional bone loss may appear at a younger age than commonly seen in people who don’t have

Osteoporosis is the gradual process in which tissue is lost from bones, resulting in brittle and fragile bones. Bones become less dense and become more prone to fracture. This may be due to a variety of factors and usually occurs during old age.

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,

You then tend to experience more breaks or fractures with falls or simple maneuvers of the body. The breaks usually occur in the hip, wrist, ribs or spine. Something as simple as bending over or coughing generally can cause a fracture. Sadly most cases of osteoporosis isn’t diagnosed until this occurs. Osteoporosis can be either classified as primary or secondary. Primary factors that are attributed to Osteoporosis, as stated above, would be old age or bone resorption issues that have taken pace with in the body. Also, this disorder can be experienced by men and women typically of Caucasian or Asian descent, but can also be experienced by other races.

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

Common fractures that occur in the spine, hips, and wrist are frequently related to osteoporosis. Sometimes mild stressors such as coughing or bending over may cause a fracture of brittle and weakened bones related to osteoporosis. Bone is live tissue that is continuously damaged and repaired.

Lastly, the RNAO best practice guidelines were used to find information about prevention and maintaining osteoporosis. Unfortunately, no articles were provided specifically about osteoporosis, so related terms were used, such as the potential negative outcomes of this disease; like falls and fractures. About five articles matched the search term, and it provided information about the ways to prevent falls, and the people who are mostly at risk.

According to Mayo Clinic, “Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine” (2014). The issue of osteoporosis is very important due to the fact that it happens to a lot of people all over the world. Although the disorder of the bone occurs in older people, I believe that everyone should learn about osteoporosis before it happens to them. Osteoporosis is very common, yet serious and people should have the knowledge of learning the risks, treatments, and prevention. People are getting older and the disorder of osteoporosis is only increasing throughout the

Around 54 million Americans in over 50 US states have osteoporosis and low bone mass. “Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.” (NOF.org). Our bones are constantly being replaced with new tissue. Osteoporosis occurs when new bone is not replaced fast enough with the removal of old bone. Our bones can become very thin, brittle, and weak as you age which is why Osteoporosis is known as the silent thief. Most bone mass is reached by mid-twenties but as you age your bone remodels and it takes away more bone than is replaced making bones more prone to osteoporosis, low bone density, and fractures. (Spinehealth.com)

There are numerous factors that can increase the probability of developing osteoporosis, such as lifestyle, age, race and medications used before. Osteoporosis can go undetected for decades until a fracture happens, this is why it is important to detect it in the early stages. If there are signs of osteoporosis, doctor will go in depth in the patient record to see what kind of medication, lifestyle or if they have loss height in recent year. However the most secure test to find out if the disease is present is a bone mineral density test which helps determine which prevention or treatment are needed.

Ann is an 82 year-old Caucasian woman. She enjoys spending her time knitting, reading books, watching old movies, and writing letters to her grandchildren. She recently fell while stepping out of the bathtub. Although she did not fall very far or land very hard, she broke her femur. The doctor in the emergency room placed her leg in a cast and tested her bone mass density, finding that it was low. He told Ann that she might have osteoporosis, a disorder that makes the individual more susceptible to bone fractures. Upon hearing this, Ann replies that she is not surprised because her mother and aunt easily fractured their bones as they aged. She was surprised, however, that the