Symptoms And Treatment Of Osteoporosis

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).

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.

Also, overly active endocrine glands that produce hormones, such as the thyroid which produces thyroid hormone, parathyroid glands that produce parathyroid hormone, and the adrenal glands, that produce many “stress” hormones such as epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, have been linked to decreased bone health and risk of osteoporosis. The pituitary gland located on the bottom of your brain releases many hormones, but a notable one linked to osteoporosis is known as growth hormone.

Osteoporosis develops when the remodeling cycle, which is when the disruption of the bone resorption and bone formation occurs. The imbalance of the remodeling cycle causes osteoporosis. Hormones, cytokines, and paracrine stromal-cell interactions affect the osteoclast’s processes, which includes proliferation, maturation, fusion and activation. The osteoclasts are controlled by the interaction between several interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, transforming growth factor-beta, prostaglandin E2 and hormones. The glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is related to increased destruction of osteocytes. Glucocorticoid increase receptor activator of nuclear factor ligand (RANKL) effect and inhibit osteoprotegerin (OPG) production through

There are two types of osteoporosis that have been identified which are primary and secondary. Osteoporotic bones are thin and brittle and are prone to fracture. The bone loss involves both compact and spongy bone. In type I osteoporosis, which occurs typically in postmenopausal women, spongy bone loss predominates, occurring most prominently in the vertebrae and distal radius (Gueldner, Burke, Smiciknas-Wright, 2000). Major complications of type I osteoporosis are crush fractures of the vertebral bodies and the distal end of the radius. Type II, or old-age, osteoporosis is characterized by a proportional loss of compact and spongy bone of the long bones (Gueldner, Burke, Smiciknis-Wright). The most serious fractures of old age are those of

• Vitamin D deficiency[9] - low circulating Vitamin D is common among the elderly worldwide.[10] Mild vitamin D insufficiency is associated with increased Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) production. [10] PTH increases bone reabsorption, leading to bone loss. A positive association exists between serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels and bone mineral density, while PTH is negatively associated with bone mineral density.[10]

These hormones assist calcium in replacing and renewing old bone cells. Elevated levels of parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism) causes calcium to leech from the bones into surrounding cells, where it is eliminated by the urine. This contributes to a decrease in bone density, which may cause osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is referred to as the decrease in bone density and mass over time. The interior bones become progressively weaker and can cause a stooped posture. This makes the individual more susceptible to bone fractures. Osteopenia regards a condition where the bone material density is considered lower than normal. This is usually a precursor to the musculoskeletal disorder, known as osteoporosis. The term ‘osteoporosis’ means ‘porous bones’. In this case, bone is a living tissue that is continuously being broken down and replaced. Thus, osteoporosis happens when the creation of bone does not keep up with the removal of the old bone. In this disorder, the bones are diminished and deteriorated in structure. This condition is typically prevalent in older women due to an estrogen deficiency with menopause. The lack of estrogen increases bone resorption and decreases bone deposition. In addition, osteoporosis can occur with atrophy, which is caused by disuse. Additionally, osteoporosis can occur in men due to the aging process as well as patients who have received corticosteroids, which are hormones used to treat inflammatory conditions.

Osteoporosis is a disease in the bones that usually start for women after menopause. Osteoporosis is a disorder in the skeletal that is characterized by low bone density and the deterioration of bony tissue. According to the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published in 2009 states that osteoporosis happens when bone density has been reduced. Osteoporosis lies on fractures that occur in our lives and the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur in our distal forearms, hip bones, wrists and most importantly it occurs in the vertebrae discs, which result in a major health problem. According to the Postgraduate Medical Journal published in 2003 it states that the deterioration of bony tissue results in an increase in fracture risk. It also states that by the age 85, white women have a 3% annual incidence of hip

According to Judith (2010), Osteoporosis is a loss of the reabsorption in the bones by way of calcium, plasma, and phosphate. Estrogen production helps bones metabolism by stimulating osteoblastic activity and limiting osteoclastic effects of the parathyroid hormone. It develops when the new formation of bones fall behind in the reabsorption process (Judith, 2010). In simpler terms, it’s a loss of bone mass due to a metabolic bone disorder affected by the rate of bone resorption advances while the rate of the bone formation reduces. According to Judith (2010), the bones end up losing calcium, phosphates and end up brittle making them prone to fractures and further complications (P . 236).

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

Losing bone is common of the ageing process, but for some individuals it can lead to osteoporosis and a multiplied risk of fractures. Osteoporosis ("porous bone"), is a disease that intensifies the loss of bone mass and strength. It often advances without any symptoms or pain. Thus, osteoporosis is not detected until weakened bones cause painful fractures typically in the back or hips. These brittle fractures result in serious morbidity and may have lasting effects through associated depression, disability, and lower health-related quality of life. For example, two thirds of patients who suffer a hip fracture never regain the level of function they had before the fracture. Approximately 20% of hip fracture patients die within a year of the fracture, and were listed as the cause of death on 12,661 death certificates in 1999 Nine out of one hundred women with a hip fracture will die as a result of the fracture. Fractures resulting from osteoporosis can lead to pain, decrease in height, inability to stand, and inability to walk. There are roughly 10 million people with osteoporosis, women are 80% of the sufferers. After the first few years of menopause, women experience bone loss rapidly. Although, this disease also affects men, they usually have stronger, bulkier bones and do not lose their mass as naturally. In addition, men who actually have from osteoporosis, often get it later in life than women, and at drastically lower rates.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease of that causes a decrease in bone mass. In osteoporosis the bones become weak and fragile. Since the bone mass is decreased the bones have more of chance to be opened to fractures. The bone is continuously breaking down by cells which is known as osteoclasts and rebuilding by other cells known as osteoblasts. As we age our bones begin to reabsorb more rather than they replace. Osteoporosis happens once the reabsorption causes the bones to reach a fracture threshold. Any fall or lifting action that would not ordinarily bruise or strain the common person would break one or additional bones in somebody with severe osteoporosis. According to Rosdahl (Edition 10) “Women of fair, freckled complexion with blonde or reddish hair, and women from northwest European background have a higher incidence of osteoporosis than the general population.” Osteoporosis most commonly happens in postmenopausal women. Some risk factors that are included are age, menstrual status, smoking, sedentary lifestyle caffeine use, alcohol consumption.

Osteoporosis is typically a silent disease characterized by low bone mass and decreased bone density ending by fractures that occur following no or at least minimal trauma. Osteoporosis has multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms that interact in the development of the disease (1, 2). The disease simply results from the imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. Increased bone resorption or decreased bone formation may lead to osteoporosis. Bone is made of collagen and mineral components. The former gives bone its flexibility and energy-absorbing capability, while the later gives bone its stiffness and strength. Imbalances can impair bone quality and result in reduced bone strength and subsequently fractures.

Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bone’, it is a disease that weakens bones and increases the risk of sudden fractures. Quite unfair but true that women are at a greater risk for osteoporosis than men. The statistics for osteoporosis from National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease shows that in 44 million of people 68 percent of women are at a risk of osteoporosis. Women over 50 years of age have more likely to have fracture related osteoporosis in their lifetime. In all cases of hip osteoporosis 75 percent of them are women. This disease may have its root from adolescence and even childhood that is the period of bone building in your body.