Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Paper Example

Osteopenia

The body has a low bone density in this state. The bones are not similar in density with the normal healthy bones but are not also as weakened as those attacked by osteoporosis are. It is, in fact, a leading factor in getting osteoporosis; however, this condition can be salvaged by taking precautions and strengthening your bones.

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The primary cause of osteopenia is old age, which affects the bone renewal rates and the postmenopausal state. Poor nutrition and tobacco use is another cause. Women are more likely to develop osteopenia as opposed to men.

Treatment

Conduct various body exercises and also proper nutrition to help improve bone structure. Calcium proteins and vitamin D should be taken into your body.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a Greek word that means porous bones or brittle bones. As the name suggests, a condition reduces the densities and strength of the bones, on one's body and thus renders the bone weak and fragile. The internal structure of a healthy bone; seen under a microscope, has spaces in it similar to a honeycomb. When osteoporosis attacks, it widens these interior spaces of the structure giving them a spongy like structure.

Bones in our bodies are living tissues that often broken down and regenerated. Young people tend to generate new bones faster than they break down old bones. This difference in rates increases the mass of bone present in the body: sometimes peaks mass can be reached in the late twenties. Aging, in turn, reduces the rate on which bones are renewed; it becomes slower, and the rate of breaking down old bone is faster. People with more bone mass attained in their youth stage are less at risk of osteoporosis, unlike those with lower mass. Osteoporosis tends to attack mostly when this regeneration feature does not take place on time. This disorder makes the skeletal structure susceptible to breakage even to the least pressure exerted on it such as bending over or coughing. The hips, wrists, and spines are mostly affected by these fractures.

Osteoporosis does not choose it can attack anybody in any particular age group. It is however very common among the older folk; above the age of fifty, this is known as Senile osteoporosis. Gender has also proven to be a factor in the patients' suffering from the disease. White women and Asian women who are past the menopause are statistically considered to be at the highest risk.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

The disease attacks silently since one cannot feel bones weakening. Basic symptoms that can be noted, however, include height loss due to the curving forward of the upper back or having a stooped posture. Presence of pains in the back, which can be due to a fracture or collapsed vertebrae. The fracturing of bones easily accompanied by chronic pains, this is considered a late symptom. Upon noticing these characteristics in anybody, medical help should be sought immediately for further tests.

Causes and Risk factors for osteoporosis

Aging of the body reduces its effectiveness in bone renewal thus enabling the attack of this disease. It is statistically the leading cause of the disease. Senile osteoporosis is a type that attacks older folk. Menopause is another primary cause due to changes in the hormone levels bone losses occur more quickly. Women from the age of 45 years to 55 years are greatly affected. Another causal factor is medical conditions suffered or the medications being used. Conditions such as hyperthyroidism and drugs such as long-term use of corticosteroids render the body susceptible to an attack by osteoporosis. Risk factors include being of female gender, older adults, poor nutrition weakening the body, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcoholism, having low body weight and small-boned frame and sometimes if there is a family history of the disease.

Prevention of the disease

Some factors may be above our control but not all. Sufficient exercise for our bodies strengthens bones and reduces bone losses. Adopt a good technique to facilitate all the bones in the body. The proper nutritional diet filled with calcium and proteins, which are good for bone growth and also supplement all the used up elements. Maintaining the body weight to reduce risks of being underweight. Vitamin D is also an important factor in the bone development and the cheapest. Sunlight can provide this at no charge. Lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcoholism should be avoided as they aid in contracting the disease. Women past the age of 45 should go through hormone therapy to monitor their levels.

Treatment

There is no known cure for osteoporosis, but there are medications that can be taken to facilitate regrowth of bones. Medications and treatments are determined based on the severity, and how prone one is to break a bone over a period of 10 years.

References

Cosman, F., De Beur, S. J., LeBoff, M. S., Lewiecki, E. M., Tanner, B., Randall, S., & Lindsay, R. (2014). Clinician's guide to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis international, 25(10), 2359-2381.

Staff, F. (2018). Osteopenia - familydoctor.org. Retrieved from https://familydoctor.org/condition/osteopenia/