Osteoporosis Dina Guadalupe Pizana Rodriguez (20609429) BIOL 2401-EE Lab instructor: Kathrene Lo According to MedlinePlus, osteoporosis is a disease that makes a bone thin and weak, becoming fragile and easily fractured. This condition especially affects the hip, spine, and wrist. Mayo Clinic, describes it as bones so brittle that even a mild stress (such as bending over or coughing) can cause a fracture. The PCM (PubMed Central), identifies two categories of osteoporosis. Primary beign the most common, including type I: postmenopausal osteoporosis and type II: senile osteoporosis. The associations of type I are loss of estrogen and androgen that results in increased bone turnover (bone remodeling). Secondary osteoporosis which is characterized as having a definable etiologic mechanism. This second one represents gradual age-related bone loss. The main difference between the different types of osteoporosis is the cause of the disease. MedlinePlus, states that anyone can develop osteoporosis, highlighting it is more common in older women. Mayo Clinic, makes a similar statement, this time targeting the risk to white and Asian women, specially those who have surpassed menopause. PCM lists White, Asian, Latino and Black as an order of risk potential, also mentioning men are least likely to get osteoporosis. Other causes and risk factors, starting with what PCM lists; age-related factors, such as: reduction in absorption of calcium and decline in calcitonin; nutritional factors for example: low calcium intake, high alcohol, caffeine, sodium and animal protein ingestion; Lifestyle: smokers and low physical activity; finally endocrine factors: menopausal age and obesity. IBJI (Illinois Bone & Joint Institute explains that osteoporosis is caused as the result of more bone mass being lost then replaced. Mayo Clinic says, in the early stages there are no symptoms but, after it is a little more advanced you may feel: back pain, loss of height over time, stooped posture and a bone that breaks much more easily than expected. The first statement of this paragraph is confirmed by NCBI, mentioning that this condition can remain asymptomatic until the bone is presented with physiologic stress. This last organization declares that any patient who presents to an orthopaedist with a hip distal radius or vertebral compression factor and is over the age of 50 should be evaluated for the presence of osteoporosis. Patients with suspected osteoporosis should be evaluated even if there is no sustained fracture. For patients who have sustained osteoporotic fractures, the treatment includes maintaining their quality of life, encouraging mobilization, controlling pain and social interaction, according to NCBI. They also recommend avoiding prolonged bed rest, poor nutrition or social isolation. NCBI endorses a complete history and physical examination, including a thorough laboratory workup, for patients with low bone mass or osteoporotic fracture, including adequate calcium in their diet, weight-bearing exercise along with the use of appropriate medications. Better health proposes to consider safe exercise options, falls prevention and medication to patients, there is not any specific treatment, since it depends on the specific needs. They list some safer exercise options such as weight-bearing exercise (also mentioned by NCBI), modified strength-training exercises and gentle exercises that focus on posture balance. The last mentioned exercise, is additionally recommended for falls prevention, as well as removing loose rugs, installing handrails in the shower and toilet, wearing sturdy flat-heeled shoes that fit perfectly, if needed wearing prescription glasses. Literature cited Better Health. (n.d.). Osteoporosis - Better Health Channel. Retrieved March 2, 2022, from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/osteoporosis#man agement-of-osteoporosis IBJI.COM. (2021, May 13). What is Osteoporosis? Types, Symptoms and Causes - IBJI. Illinois Bone & Joint Institute | IBJI. Retrieved February 31, 2022, from https://www.ibji.com/blog/orthopedic-care/what-is-osteoporosis-types-symptoms-andcauses/ Mayo Clinic. (2021, August 21). Osteoporosis - Symptoms and causes. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-2 0351968 MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Osteoporosis. Retrieved February 31, 2002, from https://medlineplus.gov/osteoporosis.html#:%7E:text=Osteoporosis%20is%20a%20di sease%20that,due%20to%20low%20bone%20mass. NCBI. (1999). NCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Retrieved February 31, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1888612/#:%7E:text=Two%20catego ries%20of%20osteoporosis%20have,a%20clearly%20definable%20etiologic%20mec hanism.
