Essay on Osteoporosis in Aging

Introduction

Osteoporosis is a disease which is brought about by low born mass and thus making the bones deteriorate in their structural composition. The continuous degradation makes the bone weak, and the likelihood of fracturing becomes high even without a significant incident. Based on the report from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, near 10 million people in the United States alone have osteoporosis, while 80% of these people are women ("Osteoporosis in Aging," 2017). The factors which have been associated with the onset of the condition are age, gender, and genetics. However, age has been identified as the leading cause where about 75% of the women and 65% affected by the condition are over 50 years (Weitzmann, 2014).

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Mrs. Y is an 85-year-old woman who arrives at a local hospital complaining of mild pain on her lower back. However, she generally says she has been feeling okay until recently when she fell while walking to her house. Mrs. Y further indicates that when she was 65 years old, she had a spine fracture when she fell during a dancing lesson. She, however, suggests that she is unaware of osteoporosis history in her family. A spine film reveals that her bone spine bone density is 4% lower and 2% lower at the hips. The loss indicates that Mrs. Y has osteoporosis and she is recommended to start active treatment which entails taking a bisphosphonate medication, vitamin D, and calcium supplement.

As seen in the case study of Mrs. Y, it is hard to note the symptoms and effects of osteoporosis until it has advanced to a stage where it is a hindrance to the body. The high-risk factor associated with the onset of the illness in older women can be related to the drop in estrogen hormones in their bodies (Demontiero, Vidal, & Duque, 2011). Estrogen helps in the rebuilding of bones, and thus when a woman reaches menopause, she may lose about 3% of the bone mass in the first seven years (Weitzmann, 2014). In older men, the onset of the illness can be traced to the deficiency of calcium and vitamin D.

Based on recent research, B-cells and T-cells have been identified as the critical determinant in the etiology of osteoporosis. The study has shown that the B-cells play an active role in the deficiency of estrogen resulting in bone loss. On the other hand, T-cell contributes to the tissue destruction in especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis (Weitzmann, 2014). However, it is possible to prevent the bone loss and build healthy bones through adequate treatment and therapies. The possible treatments include the use of medicines, embracing a healthy lifestyle, eating diets rich in vitamins D, calcium and frequent exercises (Adler, 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, osteoporosis is a disease which can affect people of all races, gender, and age. However, age is one of the factors that cause the onset of the disease, of human bodies, grow old; the bones are unable to replenish easily and thus become more porous and weak. Nonetheless, to avoid such complication, it is vital to eat a balanced diet, exercise and avoid harmful lifestyles such as smoking and alcohol.

References

Adler, R. A. (2011). Osteoporosis in Men: Insights for the Clinician. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, 3(4), 191-200. doi:10.1177/1759720x11411600

Demontiero, O., Vidal, C., & Duque, G. (2011). Aging and bone loss: new insights for the clinician. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, 4(2), 61-76. doi:10.1177/1759720x11430858

Osteoporosis in Aging. (2017, October 6). Retrieved from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/01/osteoporosis-aging. Accessed 27 August 2018

Weitzmann, M. N. (2014). T-cells and B-cells in osteoporosis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4313123/. Accessed 27 August 2018