Osteoporosis
By Alexis Stack
What does Osteoporosis mean?
Osteoporosis literally means porous bone, which is a disease that the density and quality of the bone is reduced. The loss of bone occurs silently but progressively. As the bone becomes for fragile and porous, there is a greater risk of a fracture in the bone.
What are the signs and symptoms?
In the early stage, there usually isn't any symptoms. But once the bone has been weakened by Osteoporosis, you may include the symptoms such as: back pain, caused by fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, a stooped posture, and a bone fracture that occurs much more easily than excepted. When should you go see you doctor? You may want to talk to your doctor if you went through early menopause, took Corticosteriods for several months at a time, or either of your parents have had hip fractures.
Who is at risk for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis effects men and women of all races. White and Asian women past menopause are at a higher risk for osteoporosis.
What is the treatment for osteoporosis?
The same healthy habits that prevent Osteoporosis can also be beneficial in treating it. Eat a healthy diet high in Vitamin D and calcium. Medications such as Calcitionin and Bisphosphonates such as Alendronate prevent bone loss and encourage bone maintenance.
Which famous person has Osteoporosis?
Sally Field. Just shy of her 60th birthday, she was diagnosed with Osteoporosis. It is often referred to as the "silent disease" because you show no symptoms until you experience a fracture. She stayed in the sports and acting on a regular basis. But a scan showed her hips and spine starting to thin.
A hip Fracture
A picture of an actual bone with Osteoporosis
Examples
History of Osteoporosis
In the 1830's the French pathologist Jean Georges Chretien Fredrick Martin Lobstein noticed that some patients' bones were riddled with larger than normal holes, and he coined the term Osteoporosis (porous bone).
The prognosis of Osteoporosis
With early treatment, the prognosis is better than with later treatment. Severe Osteoporosis is dangerous. The key to optimal management of Osteoporosis is detecting it as early as you can Current bone density testing is a simple screening method that can be used to find the thinning of any bone. With the medications now, they substantially reduce the risk of fractures in patients.