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Osteoporosis: The Silent Disease

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Osteoporosis

Got milk? Of course we see this advertisement everywhere. We learned that getting enough calcium is important to have a strong bones when we’re young and keeping them strong and healthy as we age. The food that we eat contributes to overall wellness of our bones. But too many people fall short to get the right amount of calcium we need everyday and this leads to bone loss or low bone density. Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a decrease in the density of bone, decreasing its strength and resulting in fragile bones (Shiel). According to The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF),the released updated prevalence data estimating that a total of 54 million U.S. adults age 50 and older are affected by osteoporosis and …show more content…

Many risk factors that contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis includes gender, age, size, ethnicity, and family history (Osteoporosis). Some other risk factors includes medication used, smoking, drinking, activity level, calcium and vitamin D intakes as well. Osteoporosis is known as the “silent disease”. It can be present without any symptoms because osteoporosis doesn’t cause symptoms until bone fracture. Therefore, patients may not be aware that they have the disease until they suffer a painful fracture. But some of the signs and symptoms are back pain (caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra), loss of height over time, a stooped posture, and a broken bone that occurs much more easily than expected (Osteoporosis-Mestar). As the disease progresses, symptoms may include dull or radiating pain in the bones or muscles, curvature of the spine, pain in the abdomen and neck, cramps in the legs at night, brittle fingernails and tooth loss (Osteoporosis-Medstar). Osteoporosis has a direct relationship on oral health. It’s major impact affects the jawbone supporting the teeth. Studies show that a loss in this bone is most likely to cause tooth loss or mobility (Crowford). Because of low density of the jawbones, it leads to dental problem such as poor fitting dentures and at risk of requiring new dentures more often. The best way to handle this problem is to avoid delaying or postponing dental treatments, healthy

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