Reasons for the Occurrence of Osteoporosis - Research Paper Example

 Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a public health issue whose medical expenses attributed to fractures alone is in the billions. In the U.S the number of individuals with this disease will grow causing the healthcare cost to skyrocket. For the American citizens who have crossed the threshold of 50 years, 55% are at risk of acquiring osteoporosis. In the course of childhood, there is a greater quantity of bone mass that is manufactured by the body than is removed. Therefore, the skeleton develops in both mass as well as in strength. For most individuals, their body’s bone mass peaks at some stage, mostly in the third decade of their lives. By the age of 30, most men will have built up more bone mass than their female counterparts. After the third decade of life, the bone mass in the skeleton starts to gradually decline as the elimination of old bone surpasses the body’s creation of new bone mass. The accelerated loss of bone mass that takes place following menopause in women is one of the principal causes of osteoporosis. For women, being in possession of the strongest bones prior to the occurrence of menopause is the best defense against suffering from debilitating fractures as the years go by. Most men who are at the same age do not suffer from the loss of bone mass in the same fashion as women. However, in their 60s and 70s, men also start to swiftly lose bone mass. In the sixth and seventh decades of life, the body’s assimilation of calcium, a vital nutrient for the health of bones starts to reduce in both sexes. Extreme instances of the loss of bone matter results in the bones growing quite fragile, and thus are more prone to fractures (McCormick, 2009). Thesis Osteoporosis is a common but serious disease that affects people of all demographics. Universally, the rates of the occurrence of osteoporosis are inconsistent, but in every nation, age is one of the most significant risk factors. As more citizens continue to age and live longer, the national figures of the elderly who suffer from osteoporosis will continue to increase. Reasons for the Occurrence of Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones, causing them to become weak, brittle and susceptible to fractures. It is known as a silent disease because it develops without any outward symptoms until a breakage takes place. Osteoporosis strikes men less often than women as men have bigger skeletons. The bone in most men’s constitutions also begins later and advances more gradually than is the case with women. In addition, men have no period of quick hormonal alterations which are accompanied by bone loss. As previously stated, age affects the process of the body replacing the old cells with new ones so that the creation of new bones does not keep up with the removal of the old ones among the elderly. There are other factors such as the lack of Vitamins A and D that can result in cases of osteoporosis. Additionally, there are medical conditions that can result in Osteoporosis. Unrelieved obstructive pulmonary sickness as well as asthma, which may result from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can result in osteoporosis. Bone loss has been seen to be more rapid with the rates of vertebral and hip fractures being higher in men who smoke regularly (Castelman, 2009). Nicotine, tobacco and other substances that are ingredients of cigarettes may be directly poisonous to bones, or they may slow down the assimilation of calcium among other nutrients that are necessary for bone health. The consumption of immunosuppressive drugs, glucocorticoid prescriptions, and gastrointestinal and Neoplastic diseases will also result in this disease. Diagnosis Osteoporosis can be successfully treated if it is discovered before a considerable loss of bone mass has taken place. The diagnosis of Osteoporosis includes a series of tests and procedures. A medical examination is one test that has to be completed to obtain the blood, and vitamins A and D. Tests must also be done to check the bone density in an individual. The physician may order a test for bone mineral density. This will identify if there is osteoporosis, verify the patient’s risk for suffering from broken bones, and assess the patient’s response to the treatments of osteoporosis. The most well known test for osteoporosis is DXA test (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry). This test can assess bone density in an individual’s spine and hip (Bissinger and Byk, 2008). Health care professionals also require the patient’s past medical history because the disease is hereditary. While everyone is at risk for Osteoporosis, it is more common in women and individuals of 50 years and above. If a person’s parents had osteoporosis, it is critical for them to take steps to address the risk factors that they can control, and to get standard check-ups on a regular basis in order to identify early enough any instances of bone loss (Brown and Jaffee, 2000). The National Institute of health estimates that 25 million people in the U.S alone have Osteoporosis, while the National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 10 million people in the United States over the age of 55 have Osteoporosis. It is a recognized fact that older women have a higher risk for Osteoporosis owing to the decrease in estrogen during menopause. Osteoporosis cannot be reversed but there are drugs available that slow down bone loss (spine universe, 2012). Some prescriptions slow down the rate of bone loss, while some increase the thickness of the bones. Even small measures of new bone development can decrease the risk of suffering from broken bones. Bisphosphonates, like ibandronate , zoledronic acid (Reclast), and risedronate (Actonel), which reduce the extent of bone thinning and can result to improved bone density. These medicines can be used by both women and men. Moreover, some of these medications have serious side effects. Some cause the swelling and irritation of the esophagus, and even bring about erosions on the lining of the esophagus. These symptoms could materialize after a few days or even years after beginning the bisphosphonate therapy (Abelson, 2009). It is best for osteoporosis patients to discuss these realities with their doctors for the symptoms to be alleviated, or so that alternative medications can be suggested. Summary Osteoporosis is a serious disease of the bones, which requires a healthy diet and proper and early treatment to maintain a healthy and productive life. Building a good bone mass, particularly before 35 years of age, can offer the best protection against getting osteoporosis. Healthy life choices like having proper diet, taking regular exercises, and using prescribed treatment regimens can assist in the averting of further bone loss as well as lessen the probability of suffering from fractures. References A Healthy Weight May Limit Osteoporotic Fracture Risk. (2012). In spine universe. Retrieved from http://www.spineuniverse.com/ Abelson, A. (2009). The cleveland clinic guide to osteoporosis. New York: Kaplan Publishing. Bissinger, M., & Byk, C. (2008). Osteoporosis: An exercise guide. New York: Workfit Consultants, L.L.C. Brown, S., & Jaffee, R. (2000). Better Bones, better body: Beyond estrogen and calcium. New York: McGraw-Hill. Castelman, M. (2009). Building bone vitality: A revolutionary diet plan to prevent bone loss and reverse osteoporosis--without dairy foods, calcium, estrogen, or drugs. New York: McGraw-Hill. McCormick, R. (2009). The whole-body approach to osteoporosis: How to improve bone strength and reduce your fracture risk (the new harbinger whole-body healing series). San Francisco: New Harbinger Publications. Osteoporosis. (2012). In answers. Retrieved from http://www.answers.com/ Read More