Osteoporosis

Explanation

This is a disease which damages the bones, making them thin and weak.After this disease, the special cells with our bones become unable to renew it and form a new healthy bone.This disease mostly occurs in old age when body is unstable and bone stops to repair itself.As you get older, the special cells of the bones become less in number and so the bones are more likely to break or damage.Particularly the bones of spine, wrist, knees and hips are affected by this disease.

Healthy bones are very dense, and the spaces within bones are small. In bone affected by osteoporosis, the spaces are larger, making the bones weaker and less elastic.Also, large holes form in bones which makes them difficult to act.

Osteoporosis is very common and, in some cases, can be severe.

























Causes

Osteoporosis mainly occurs at old age when the thick and stronger bones become thinner and weak.Moslty after 60 years of age bones becomes less active causing osteoporosis.If a person is active(exercising) during his young life as well as when he become old, have less chances to adopt osteoporosis.

Hormones

Hormones play an important part in making the bones stronger and healthier.If the hormones levels in a person becomes imbalance osteoporosis can occur.In women oestrogen and in men testosterone are the hormones who keeps the bones well established.
In women oestrogen stops to produce if a menopause occurs for along period of time, which makes the women more likely to be affected by osteoporosis.
The male hormone testosterone also helps to keep the bones healthy. Men continue to produce this hormone into old age, but the risk of osteoporosis is increased in individuals with low levels of testosterone.

Although women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis when they have:

an early menopause,

when their periods are absent for a long time as a result of over-exercising, or over-dieting.

Other factors

Other factors that can increase the risk of osteoporosis include:

• a close family history of osteoporosis,
• long periods of inactivity, such as long-term bed rest,
• heavy drinking and smoking,
• long-term use of high dose corticosteroid treatment (widely used for conditions such as arthritis and asthma), which can affect bone strength,
• very low body mass
• low vitamin D levels, and
• inadequate amounts of calcium.

Symptoms

Symptoms of osteoporosis does not appears in early age untill an accident occurs but as older age comes smptoms start to appear.In old age symptoms appears as thinning of bones( a low mass bone), damage of wrist, spine or knee bones.Severe sneezing or coughing may cause damage to the ribs.
A fractured bone in an older person can be serious because the bone is no longer able to repair itself effectively. This can lead to arthritis, and even disability.Bending forward of a person at old age is also a clear symptom of osteoporosis.



Treatments

There are a number of different treatments available for osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used for women going through the menopause as it helps to maintain bone density and reduce fracture rates during the treatment.HRT is not always applied because it increases the risk of heart attack or stroke, so you should consult your doctor first.

Testosterone treatment

Testosterone treatment for men is useful in the relatively rare cases when osteoporosis is due to an insufficient production of male sex hormones.

Bisphosphonates (non-hormonal drugs).

Bisphosphonates are non-hormonal drugs that maintain bone density and reduce fracture rates. The rate at which cells break down bone is slowed, and the production of new bone increases.

Calcium and vitamin D

Calcium and vitamin D supplements are of benefit for older people, male and female, to reduce the risk of hip fracture. Intake of enough calcium in your diet when you are young is important in minimising the risk, especially for women.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) are drugs that have a similar effect on bone as the hormone oestrogen. They help to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fracture, particularly at the spine.