Osteoporosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Osteoporosis - Essay Example Osteoporosis is a major concern in US where over 10 million people suffer of this disease while another 18 million are at a risk of developing Osteoporosis. Most of those diagnosed and at risk of Osteoporosis are women especially those past the menopause stage. Moreover, research shows that people from certain ethnic background such as Asian and whites are at greater risk of getting Osteoporosis. This paper focuses on the causes pathophysiology, clinical features, para clinic finding, Treatment, and Prognosis of osteoporosis. Causes or Etiology   The major cause of osteoporosis is imbalance between the bone formation and bone resorption processes. This occurs if the body fails to develop adequate new bones or if too much of the formed boned becomes reabsorbed. For adequate formation of the bones, sufficient amounts of calcium and phosphorous must be taken. Actually, the body reabsorbs some of the calcium from the bones, which is used for other body processes such as invigorating fu nction of organs such as brain heart, and other organs (Lane S3-S5). Therefore lack of enough calcium in the diet result in insufficient bone and bone tissue production. Moreover, the bones produced are weaker, fragile, and brittle and break easily. The inadequate calcium absorption is also attributed to shortage of hormones such as estrogen in women and androgen in men. After menopause, estrogen levels reduce and risk of osteoporosis increase. Other cause of osteoporosis include inadequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorous. Moreover, age related body changes, lack of weight-bearing exercises, and overuse of corticosteroids, disuse of muscles, genetic disorders, and problem associated with the thyroid gland increase chances of osteoporosis. Other known cause of osteoporosis include use of some medication that may cause rapid bone resorption or prevent calcium reabsorption (Lane S6-S9; Atik, Uslu and Eksioglu 25-27). Pathophysiology Pathophysiology of osteoporosis entails intrinsic bone fragility and frequent injuries. Injuries result from minor to major falls, falling to the side, poor postural reflexes and reduce soft tissues that are required for bone padding. Bone fragility is attributable to composite geometry, reduction in bone mass density, and change in quality of bone content, reduced collagen cross-links, and severed microarchitecture connections (Bartl and Frisch 144-149). Clinical Features In the initial stages, Osteoporosis may exhibit no symptoms. However, it later causes dull pain in the bones and other body parts, especially along the muscles. Other common symptoms include pain in the lower back as well as pain on the neck. As the disease progresses, the casualty may experience sharp and sudden pains especially when doing activities that strain bones and muscles. Other symptoms include one and muscle tenderness. Moreover, persons with osteoporosis easily get fractures on the neck, wrist, hip, and other bones even from minor falls. Sp inal compression occurs easily resulting in dowager’s hump (Atik, Uslu and Eksioglu 25-27; Bartl and Frisch 153-158). Para Clinic Finding Some of the test and exams for osteoporosis include bone mineral density testing which is often done with DEXA scan used to diagnose bine loss, predict risk of bone fractures, and determine the effectiveness of osteoporosis medication. A spine or hip x-ray is used to detect fractures