Risk For Developing Osteoporosis example essay topic

Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes the bones to become so thin that they can break during normal daily activities such as lifting a heavy object or rolling over in bed. Whether someone will develop osteoporosis or loss of bone, known as, depends on the thickness of the bones early in life, as well as health, diet, and physical activity later in life. The exact cause of osteoporosis is not known. However, osteoporosis has been linked to the natural process of aging and to the decreased production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. Not getting adequate calcium and phosphorous, two minerals needed to build strong bones and vitamin D has also been linked to the development of osteoporosis. Men and women can develop osteoporosis as they age, although women who have gone through menopause are at greatest risk.

Women have less bone mass than men and lose bone mass sooner and faster than men. Women develop osteoporosis almost four times more often than men. Women of European and Asian ancestry are more like to have osteoporosis than those from other backgrounds. Osteoporosis is rare in children and teens. Risks factors for osteoporosis for developing osteoporosis in both men and women have been identified. Family history of osteoporosis makes you more likely to develop osteoporosis.

Lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to the disease. Smokers are at higher risk for osteoporosis. How smoking causes bone thinning is not known however. Getting little or no weight-bearing exercise can contribute to the develop of the disease. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights keep bones strong and healthy by working the muscles and bones against gravity. People with a thin body build are at greater risk.

Slender people are more likely to develop the disease because they have less bone tissue and less fat than heavier people. Fat tissue stores estrogen, which helps protect women from osteoporosis. A diet low in food containing calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D also contribute to development of the disease. Certain medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism, put you at greater risk.

Taking corticosteroids to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease for a period of six months or longer can lead to steroid-induced osteoporosis. Many men develop the disease do so as a result of using these types of medications. Other risks factors may include overusing antacids that contain aluminum. Antacids that contain aluminum remove phosphorus and calcium from the body, causing faster-than-normal bone thinning. Excessive dieting or eating disorders, such as anorexia is another risk factor, People with eating disorders usually have low body fat and therefore low levels of estrogen, which increases their risks. Female athletes are at risk for developing osteoporosis if they have infrequent menstrual cycles due to low body fat.

This leads to weaker bones. Women who have completed menopause have the greatest risk for osteoporosis. An important risk factor that is specific to postmenopausal women is low estrogen level. Decreasing levels of estrogen occur during menopause.

In addition, women who no longer have menstrual periods, either because their ovaries are not working properly or because their ovaries have been removed through surgery, are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain, getting shorter in height, a curved backbone, broken bones, especially the hip, small bones in the spine, vertebrae, and wrist. Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed by evaluating medical history, and a physical examination and bone density testing. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis is very important.

If someone is at risk for osteoporosis, they should be screened before symptoms, such as broken bones, occur. If osteoporosis is suspected from the medical history and physical examination, a bone mineral density test may be done. X-rays are not done to check for osteoporosis. Bone loss is not seen on an X-ray until at least 25% of bone is lost according to the Journal of Medicine.

Some doctors suggest a bone mineral density test for all women over 65 years of age, while others suggest that such test be given on an individual basis, depending on the person's risks factors for the disease. Bone thinning is an inevitable part of growing older. After the age of about 30, bone thinning is a natural process and cannot be stopped completely. If you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly early in like, you may be able to delay the development of osteoporosis.

Adults who have the disease or who are risk for the disease can slow the process and prevent problems with diet. Getting enough calcium is one of the first steps to try to prevent and treat osteoporosis. The recommended daily calcium intake for adults is 1,200 mg per day. Women over 65 years of age and women over 51 years of age who are not estrogen replacement therapy man need 1,500 mg of calcium each day, according to the American Dietetic Association... Taking vitamin D, along with sufficient calcium is another way to help prevent or reduce the effects of osteoporosis. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is between 400 and 800 IU per day.

Young women in particular need to be aware of their risk for developing the disease, and take steps early to slow its progress and prevent complications. Studies show that exercising during the preteen and teen years increases bone mass and greatly reduces the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood. In addition to eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, osteoporosis can be prevented or reduced by certain medications that slow the process of bone loss and encourage new bone growth. Hormone Replacement therapy for women may help prevent the develop of the disease by reducing the rate of bone thinning. It is not known if hormone therapy is effective at preventing fractures once you develop osteoporosis. Medications are used in both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

Some medications slow the rate of bone loss or increase bone thickness. Even small amounts of new bone growth can reduce the risk for broken bones caused by osteoporosis. Some of the medications used to treat the disease include: Raloxifene, (Evista), Alendronate (Fosamax), or Risedronate (Calcimar of Miacalcin) Hormone medications used to prevent but not treat existing osteoporosis include Estrogen (Pills, patches or shots). Testosterone (shots of patches) is sometimes given to men to prevent osteoporosis caused by low testosterone levels. The risks and benefits of hormone should be discusses with the physician. The results of a recent study, The Women's Health Initiative linked the use of hormone therapy to an increase in breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.

Tests may need to be performed after taking medications for osteoporosis to evaluate the effectiveness of the medications. The tests are the same as those used to diagnose the condition. Urine tests may also be done to check a medication's effectiveness. There are other treatments currently used to treat osteoporosis and pain associated with the disease. Nonprescription acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, Panadoc, or Tempera are frequently prescribed.

Compression fractures of the vertebrae of the sine are common in those who have osteoporosis. Back braces are used to support the area and pain medications are prescribed. Surgery is usually not indicated. Another treatment is a device known as a hip protector. Studies conducted by orthopedists suggest that hip protectors may help prevent hip fractures in older adults. Hip protectors look like a girdle or underwear with pads on both sides of the hips to help reduce the force of a fall.

When hip protectors are used both day and night by those at high risk of falling, the number of hip fractures is greatly reduced. The process of bone thinning is a natural part of aging and cannot be completely stopped. However, osteoporosis can be reduced or delayed through the practice of healthy lifestyle habits, such as not smoking, eating a nutritious diet, and getting regular exercise, which helps build and strengthen the bones early in life. Although it is best to start during the teen years, adults who follow these habits can prevent or reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis.

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