Skeletal - Muscular Disease/Abnormality

by

Regine Epps

Osteoporosis

Characteristics

Brittle and weak bones are caused by the disease called, osteoporosis. Decreased bone mass and when the structure of the bone tissues starts losing its integrity – it deteriorates. At the start our bones are developing and becoming stronger and our bones peak in early part of our twenties. With age those bones go through remodeling and it starts with our bones dissolving which is resorption and the new bone cells form. Unfortunately, people with osteoporosis experience bone loss and suffer the loss of bone mass. Individuals with osteoporosis have a higher chance of experiencing a fracture of their hip, spine, or wrist with one fall. Individuals with this disease may experience symptoms such as back pain if they suffer a fracture, they will become shorter with time, and at the start the bones are very weak.

Medical treatments

Eating healthy can help treat osteoporosis and provide the body with the necessary nutrients. Calcium and vitamin D are essential in ensuring that bones are strong and that the heart is healthy. These nutrients also help the muscles and nerves do what their jobs effectively. Also, exercise is also useful as a preventive – treatment. Exercising enhances the health of the bones because it allows your muscle to form while developing in coordination and balance. Due to fracturing the doctor will encourage repeating exercises that specifically strengthen and add support to you back. Additionally, the individual’s physician may prescribe bisphosphonates such as: calcitonin, estrogen hormones, estrogen agonists/antagonists, and tissue-selective estrogen complex. Once again since falling is very damaging to osteoporosis patients they may be advised to use certain tools. When outside an individual may use a cane or walker, wear shoes that are great with traction, and avoid slippery areas outside. They may even carry salt or cat litter to sprinkle on slippery grounds. Indoors they should avoid clutter areas, walk barefooted, use support bars in the bathroom, and carry a flashlight when walking in the dark at home.

Statistics

Osteoporosis affects men and women from all groups of people but older women with menopause at more at risk than others. Those individuals that are younger than 70 years of age that have been diagnosed with osteoporosis have a higher chance of death. And a study found that men and women have a chance of dying after treatment but, the risk is lowered as time lapses. After the diagnosis, the, “life expectancy of newly diagnosed and treated osteoporosis patients is in excess of 15 years in women below the age of 75 and in men below the age of 60 who are treated for osteoporosis” (Healio). According to Healio (2015), a man at the age 50 years who began osteoporosis treatment was estimated to be 18.2 years (26.4 years for women) and 7.5 years for a man at age 75 years (13.5 years for women) (Healio).

Reference

https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/osteoporosis/overview

Healio. Mortality risk higher for men and women with osteoporosis. Retrieved from     https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/bone-mineral-metabolism/news/online/%7Bbe270cb9-61ba-4dfa-a19f-80efe8635ea1%7D/mortality-risk-higher-for-men-and-women-with-osteoporosis. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2478.

https://www.iofbonehealth.org/what-is-osteoporosis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968