Introduction
Osteoporosis is a congenital metabolic bone disease that is characterized by osteoclasts’ failure to resorb bone. This failure makes the bone modeling and remodeling have an impairment that causes the bones brittle and weak. The most common part of the bone to be fractured is the wrist, hip, or spine (Nguyen, 2017). The skeletal system is made up of bones which are living tissue that constantly breaks down. Osteoporosis occurs when there is a failure in the replacement of the old bone by a new one. Osteoporosis affects both genders, but it is mainly found in Asian and white women who are past their menopause. Consuming a healthy diet and having regular exercise can prevent bone loss and strengthen weak bones. Osteoporosis has a 25% genetic variance that is susceptible to the family history (Nguyen, 2017). Many people who suffer from osteoporosis report frequent broken wrist.
Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment
Early stages of osteoporosis do not have symptoms, but once it has started weakening the bones, the signs and symptoms include:
- Back pains caused by collapsed vertebra.
- Slight reduction in height over time.
- Stooped posture.
The risk factors of osteoporosis include age, race, medical conditions, and lifestyle choices. Women are likely to develop osteoporosis than men, and the older a woman gets, the more prone she is to have the condition (Nguyen, 2017). Family history can make an individual know the chances of them having osteoporosis. Certain hormones such as sex hormones, thyroid problems, and gland issues can influence osteoporosis (Langdahl, 2018). When sex hormones are low, it means that there is a fall in estrogen levels. Most women in menopause have low estrogen levels hence making them prone to osteoporosis. Overactive adrenal glands and parathyroid is associated with osteoporosis.
Prevention of osteoporosis entails consuming healthy food and having regular exercise. People between the age of 18 and 50 need to finish an average of 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily (Langdahl, 2018). Food substances with calcium include low-fat dairy products, leafy vegetables, soy products, canned salmon, and calcium-fortified cereals. Vitamin D is a crucial substance that enables the body to absorb calcium and improve bone health. Sunlight provides vitamin D for people who live in high latitudes. Dietary sources include trout, cod liver oil, and cereals fortified with vitamin D (Langdahl, 2018). Regular exercise such as running, jogging, skipping rope, skiing, and engaging in any physical sports can strengthen bones (Тaranushenko & Kiseleva, 2020). Medical treatment of osteoporosis can be done through surgical procedures in kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty. Pharmacologic treatment entails the intake of bisphosphonates.
Which system in this class fascinated you the most, and why?
The skeletal and the urinary systems fascinated me the most because they perform critical functionality in the body. The basic skeletal system includes the tendons, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. The skeleton makes 20 percent of the body weight, with adults having 206 bones. However, there is a difference between the male and female skeleton systems. Males have longer bones with high bone mass, while females have a broader pelvis. In the urinary system, the nephrons filtration procedure ensures that harmful substances are removed. The kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra work towards filtering blood, excess water, and eliminating waste materials in the form of urine.
What more would you like to learn about this system?
I would like to know why infants have more bones than adults and the type of bones made from the process of ossification. I would also like to see the risks that people with an extra rib have in their health issues. The spare rib is called the cervical rib, and the consequences of having such a rib are fundamental in sorting out their medical problems.
References
Langdahl, B. (2018). Pathophysiology of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia, 4(4), S2.
Nguyen, V. (2017). Osteoporosis prevention and osteoporosis exercise in community-based public health programs. Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia, 3(1), 18-31.
Taranushenko, T., & Kiseleva, N. (2020). Paediatric osteoporosis: Features of skeletal mineralization in children, prevention, and treatment. Meditsinskiy Sovet = Medical Council, (10), 164-171. Web.