Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can be described as a condition where the bones become weaker due to a reduction in bone mass or due to the loss of bone tissue. This makes the patient more vulnerable to fractures thus causing fragility fractures.

Osteoporosis: Signs and Symptoms

Osteoporosis patients initially don’t exhibit any visible symptoms. But, as the disease progresses, more symptoms begin to develop. Some of these symptoms are:

Loss of Height

In normal situations, height loss is part of growing. The discs in your spinal cord shrink as you age thus causing a loss in height. However, a person with this condition can experience sudden height loss.

Broken wrists

A broken wrist is one of the most obvious signs of osteoporosis. Wrist fractures are more common in women after menopause. To stop a fall, one normally shoots the arm to the front as a reflex. A normal body with healthy bones should effectively withstand the magnitude of an ordinary fall. But the same situation could result in a fracture thus indicating osteoporosis.

Broken hip

A broken hip can give severe, agonising pain. The site of a hip fracture is the top portion of the thigh-bone. People in their 80s and 90s are more at risk of this kind of injury. These injuries are more common after a fall. Most cases require an operation. The recovery process can be impacted by complications that arise from old age.

Fractures

Fractures can be the most serious symptom of this condition. Fractures can be debilitating and cause chronic or severe pain. As fractures are not always obvious, it can be difficult to link them with the disease. Fractures to the long bones may cause mobility problems and could also require surgery.

Osteoporosis: Causes

Osteoporosis can be caused by various reasons. Some of these are:

Anorexia
Lower levels of oestrogen and testosterone in both women and men
Hormonal imbalance
Hyperthyroidism or any other thyroid problems
Low peak bone mass
Surgical removal for the treatment of the ovaries
Calcium deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency

Different types of bone tissues

The bones of a human body provide protection, structure and support to its internal organs. It is made up of calcium and other minerals that provide strength and rigidity. They also contain the bone marrow, where the synthesis of new blood cells occurs.

There are two types of bone tissue in each bone.

Trabecular Bone – A strong mesh within the shell
Cortical Bone- A thick external cover that provides the bones a smooth and solid texture

Normally, these types of bone tissue are supported by the blood supply or nerve. The spaces between the bones are filled by bone marrow and fat. A few bones are located at the end of the long bone, which are the ones in the legs and arms. These contain a large proportion of trabecular bones.

Osteopenia

This condition is considered a predecessor of osteoporosis. In this condition, the bones are not as fragile as in osteoporosis but are definitely more brittle than normal bones. It is characterised by the inability of the body to build new tissues at the same rate as the old bone tissue thus making the bones less strong. This could lead to osteoporosis.

It is mostly noticed in people over 50 years of age. It can also be passed down from one generation to another. Women are more susceptible to osteopenia.

Conclusion

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the bones in the human body. Its name is derived from the Latin word “porous bones.” A healthy bone has gaps or spaces, similar to a honeycomb. Osteoporosis expands the size of the spaces within these bones, making the bone lose strength and thickness. Also, the exterior of the bone becomes more vulnerable and thinner.