Running head: Overview of Osteoporosis 1 OVERVIEW OF OSTEOPOROSIS. Linda Abbott 5/15/16 Running head: Overview of Osteoporosis 2 Abstract We are living in a world where the human race is constantly facing and fighting the challenge diseases. Most of the diseases that infect us fall into the following major categories; cardiovascular, cancer, urogenital, musculoskeletal, respiratory, infectious, gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases. Even with the advancement in technology such diseases still haunt us. This paper discusses a disease in the musculosketal category known as osteoporosis. This disease has become an epidemic with more than 50% of women and 20% of men being estimated to develop osteoporosis when they are 50 years and above in their life. This disease cripples an individual due to bone fractures and pain. Osteoporosis does not develop overnight it is a disease that develops slowly. Therefore, an understanding of osteoporosis is important to everyone in the society. So that it can be identified at its early stages and necessary steps are taken. This is so because osteoporosis has no cure, the only things that can be done is preventing it and suppressing its development. In some cases, it has been found to be possible to completely stop its development. This paper begins by looking at what osteoporosis is, how it develops and the different factors and elements that may lead (causes) to osteoporosis developing in an individual, the methods and techniques used to diagnose it, types of treatment therapies and medications and how they work and are used to control the disease and finally it looks at prevention measures and how one can live with the disease and the recommendations that one should follow in order to manage this disease. Running head: Overview of Osteoporosis 3 Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bone, it makes the bones weak and fragile such that the bone can fracture when under minor pressure or stresses. These stresses may include minor falls, bending, or even coughing. From a research carried out, it was approximated that about 200 million people world wide suffer from this condition. [1]. This disease affects both men and women, mostly those who are above 50 years old. Women who are postmenopausal have a high risk of getting this disease. Since the estrogen levels in their bodies drop after menopause and estrogen assists in maintaining bone mass. Common bone fractures are those around the wrist, hip and the vertebrae bones. These fractures are normally the symptoms of this disease. Our bone tissue is being constantly broken down and replaced with new tissue, this is because our bones are living tissue. The process of breaking down and replacing, also known as modelling, it takes place faster and more effectively when we are young, but as we grow old the process of replacing bone cells slows down more than that of breaking down. In details the modelling process involves cells called osteoclasts which create small cavities or porosity by eroding the bone, they do this by releasing enzymes that dissolve the bone collagen which then releases the minerals in it. Then the bone forming cells known as osteoblasts fill the porous sections with new bone cells, they do this by adding phosphate and calcium crystals on the collagen of the bone. This is how our bones manage to keep our bones healthy. The imbalance between the two processes leads to more bone tissue being broken down than it can be replaced hence making the bone fragile. Running head: Overview of Osteoporosis 4 This condition may occur due to other factors such as other diseases e.g. kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or even medical treatments such as removal of ovaries in women, medications such as chemotherapy, steroids and anti seizure medication. Also it can be hereditary, or caused by poor lifestyle such as smoking and alcoholism. [2] Mostly osteoporosis is diagnosed when there is a bone fracture. A test that is normally carried out to diagnose it is the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, which determines the mineral density in the bones. [3]. The treatment of this disease depends on age, sex and risk of fractures. This treatment uses medication which improves the strength of bones. The medication involves Bisphosphonates which are the most commonly used. These include; zoledronic acid, risedronate, ibandronate and alendronate. Also some hormones such as estrogen and evista are used. These medications slow down the breaking down process of the bone. They do these by binding to the bone cells and form a lining around them when osteoclasts try to access the cells they are inhibited by this lining. Hence the bone has a better chance of rebuilding itself. Sometimes therapies on diet rich in minerals such as vitamin D and calcium are used as treatment. [4] If an individual is at the risk of developing osteoporosis, there are possible prevention measures that the individual can take. These measures include; a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and consuming alcohol. Also to prevent this disease, woman with young children are advised to provide a dietary with sufficient calcium, which is required in forming healthy bone mass in children at an early age. This reduces the chances of children developing osteoporosis later in their life. Since it is estimated that 1200 – 1500mg of calcium is required in adults and teenagers and 1000mg in children daily, for healthy bone development. [5]. However, if an individual gets this disease it is possible for him/her to live a normal life by avoiding falls Running head: Overview of Osteoporosis taking the proper medication and regularly visiting the physician for checkups. Therefore, this disease is manageable, either by prevention or treatment, 5 Running head: Overview of Osteoporosis 6 References 1. Cooper, C., Campion, G. (1992). Osteoporosis. Hip fractures in the elderly: a world wide projection, , 285-9. 2. (2016). Osteoporosis. National institute of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin disease: hand out on health, , . Retrieved from www.nih.gov 3. (2014). Osteoporosis. NHS, , . Retrieved from www.nhs.uk 4. (2014). Osteoporosis treatment: medication can help. Mayo clinic,, . Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org 5. Lensey, S.M. (). Epidemic of osteoporosis. Disease and disorders, , . Retrieved from www.acs.org
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