Osteoporosis Research Paper

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Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones. Aging, menopause, hypogonadism (decline in hormone production), primary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid glands), glucocorticoid excess (extra steroid hormones), nutritional deficiency (not enough nutrients), immobilization, therapeutic agents (treatment), liver disease, and renal disease are all causes of osteoporosis. Family history and lifestyle choices, such as low calcium intake, being thin, being a smoker or drinking a lot of alcohol can also increase the likelihood of getting osteoporosis. Additionally, the bone mass a person originally has can increase the susceptibility of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in most common in postmenopausal …show more content…
These back pains are caused when vertebrae becomes compressed, and the spine bends forwards. This creates the Dowager’s hump, and a loss of height. If there is a compression fracture of vertebra, it can be discovered by patients can feeling a sharp pain after little or no stress or a sudden loss of height. However, it is common for the patient not to remember the pain or stress. Usually, these fractures are detected as X-ray findings. Femur fractures after little or no stress are also common.
Osteoporosis affects the plate that forms the honeycombed matrix within the bone. Because of this, the matrixes become thinner, and the spaces between them get bigger. Gradually, the bone becomes weaker and more fragile and will fracture from minor stresses.
Osteoporosis is caused because of an imbalance between bone creation and bone destruction. This gradual process is caused by the balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoclasts have ion channels in their cell membranes that insert protons into extracellular space. This lowers the pH, and is what causes the bone to dissolve. Osteoblasts lay down new bone. This determines if the bone is created, kept, or lost. When bones are remodeled, the osteoclasts are activated first, which is followed by a “reversal” phase. When the area that the bone once was is filled with osteoblasts, bone creation starts. In this stage, osteoblasts create and set down new bone. Because this …show more content…
Physical activity, particularly weight bearing exercise like walking, running and weightlifting also help. Therapeutic agents also protect against bone loss, and estrogen replacement therapy can be used as a last resort, as it can cause endometrial cancer, and increase the risk of breast cancer. However, when it is used with progesterone, the risk is reduced. Raloxifene, an estrogen receptor modulator, and bisphosphonate drugs such as risedronate, and alendronate, which slow bone breakdown can also help prevent osteoporosis. Calcitonin, which works to lower blood calcium, and prevent bone resorption is also available to treat the disease. In secondary osteoporosis, adjustments to thyroid medication and dietary supplementation can be used to treat the disease, and in primary osteoporosis, intake of calcium and vitamin D are used to treat
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