The History of Osteoporosis - Term Paper Example

Osteoporosis al Affiliation) Osteoporosis is a condition that is linked to weakening of bones makingthem fragile and more prone to break. The condition has led to more fractures that are obtained from standing height or less. The types of fractures that are common in people that are affected by Osteoporosis are hip fractures and wrist fractures. The condition however can also occur in other bones in the body of an individual such as pelvis, ribs and in the arm (Afghani, 2009). There are no conditions that show the disease and it is only diagnosed when one has a fracture even from minor falls. Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a condition in a person that that causes bones of an individual to be weak and more fragile such that even a minor fall can lead to fracture in the person. The disease makes one weak such that bending from even a cough can lead to fracture in a person. Areas in the body that are prone to the disease are the hips, spine and wrist. The occurrence of the disease comes about mainly in the bone cells when creation of a new bone is not able to keep up with the rate at which the old one is removed. This is due to the living tissues of the bone making it to be constantly be broken down and replaced. The disease is due to deficiency in the mineral density that an individual has. It can be below the mean bone mass that is measured with consideration of healthy adults. The disease affects genders, men and women but women are more prone to the disease. White and Asian women are much prone to the condition. Older women who are past menopause are also much prone to being affected by the condition. Prevention of the disease can be through healthy diet and exercises that are weight-bearing. These prevent the loss of bones and also strengthen bones that are already weak in a person. Prevention of the disease can also be through the change in lifestyle that one lives through exercises and healthy diet History of Osteoporosis History of Osteoporosis is linked to reductions that occur in the age of individuals and bone density. The relation is dated back to Aslater Cooper. The term Osteoporosis is attributed by the French pathologist who came to realize the disease and linked it to bisphosphonate which was discovered in 1960s. John Hunter came to realize in the 18th century that there was a bone that was laid down in the body. He found out that all bones once formed in the body are reabsorbed. The concept played a great role in determining the cause of Osteoporosis. The disease was however discovered some years after he died. In 1830s there was also notice bay some of the pathologists that there were larger holes in some bones than the normal bones. Through the discovery, Jean George came up with the term osteoporosis which he described to mean a porous bone (Cembrowicz & Allain, 2007). In 1940, he defined Osteoporosis and started treating women on the condition since he thought that women are those that were prone to the condition. He treated the women with estrogen. In the times, there was no detection of the condition in bones since there was low technology. In 1960s there was development of more sensitive devices that were used to diagnose the disease. Despite the history of treatment and diagnosis of Osteoporosis the disease still remains a challenge (Cembrowicz & Allain, 2007). Description of the disease Osteoporosis is a condition that is linked to weakening of bones making them fragile and more prone to break. The condition has led to more fractures that are obtained from standing height or less. The types of fractures that are common in people that are affected by Osteoporosis are hip fractures and wrist fractures (Afghani, 2009). The disease affects genders, men and women but women are more prone to the disease. White and Asian women are much prone to the condition. Older women who are past menopause are also much prone to being affected by the condition. Prevention of the disease can be through healthy diet and exercises that are weight-bearing. . Causes and risk factors Osteoporosis is a condition that is mainly caused by less density that occurs in the bones making them to be more fragile. Bones are considered to be more thick and dense in early adult life with increase in the density until one gets to the age of 20 (Compston & Rosen, 2009). There occurs gradually loss in the density. The change in the density of the bones occurs to everyone but those that develop Osteoporosis loose density of the bone faster than the normal rate. This makes them more prone to fractures. There are several groups that are prone to the condition. Women are the ones that are much prone to the condition than men due to the changes that occur in their hormones. The changes in hormonal activities occur mainly after menopause (Compston & Rosen, 2009). This directly affects bone density. Increase in the chances of getting the condition in women increases when they have early menopause, removal of the womb and absence in the periods (Hoffmann, 2008). Cases and risk of men to Osteoporosis is not well known. The risk of the condition increases in men with low levels of testosterone. Men are not much exposed to the condition as they continue to produce testosterone even in old age. Other factors that expose men to the condition include alcohol abuse and use of some medications (Hoffmann, 2008). Hormone is the main causes of risk in a person. The hormone related conditions that trigger the condition include hyperthyroidism, disorders in the adrenal glands disorders in the pituitary gland and reduction in amount of sex hormones. Fracture of the hip that is associated with the disease leads to decrease in mobility of one that is affected. Fractures of the vertebra despite leading to effects on mobility also cause severe pain in the body which also leads to pressure in internal organs. Pressure to the internal organs can result to difficulty in breathing. Other risk factors that make one prone to the disease include a history of the family with the condition, heavy drinking and smoking, absorption problems, parental history of hip fracture, and having eating disorders. Transmission There no main transmissions that are involved in the condition as is mainly affected and Hormone are the main causes of risk in a person. The hormone related conditions that trigger the condition include hyperthyroidism, disorders in the adrenal glands, and disorders in the pituitary gland and reduction in amount of sex hormones. Other risk factors that make one prone to the disease include a history of the family with the condition, heavy drinking and smoking, absorption problems, parental history of hip fracture, and having eating disorders Complications associated to Osteoporosis The fractures that occur in one with the condition are those that a healthy person is not expecting to break a bone. Fractures are mainly the dangerous aspect of Osteoporosis. Pain in joints of the elderly is a contributing factor that leads to fractures. Fall risk is also a condition that is associated to Osteoporosis (Sambrook, 2006). The risk is also increase by impairment of eyesight of an individual. The disorders that are associated to the risk include movement disorders, dementias and balance disorders. The risks can be reduced by removing obstacles and loose floors in a place that one lives. Diagnosis Diagnosis of Osteoporosis is mainly done through the use of conventional radiography and measure that is done to bone mineral density. Diagnosis through the use of bone mineral density always requires deep analysis of underlying causes. This is done though blood tests. With consideration of the underlying cause investigation of diseases such as cancer can be carried out. Dual energy x-ray is a method that can be used in making sure that the diagnosis is right. This method is considered to be the best method that has been used to diagnose the disease. Biomarkers have also been used though not common (Sambrook, 2006). Chemical biomarkers have been used as it detects degradation of the bone. Signs and symptoms of Osteoporosis There are no direct symptoms that are associated to the disease in the early stages that one starts to lose the bone weight. The signs and symptoms occur in the situation that one has already been attacked by the condition (Ben-Ari, 2007). The signs and conditions that are developed when the bones have lost density include back pains that are mainly caused by collapsed or fractured vertebra. Those that have the condition undergo loss of weight for a period of time, a posture that is stooped and fracture of the bones that occurs more than one may expect. The fractures that occur in one with the condition are those that a healthy person is not expecting to break a bone (Ben-Ari, 2007). Fractures are mainly the dangerous aspect of Osteoporosis. Pain in joints of the elderly is a contributing factor that leads to fractures. Fall risk is also a condition that is associated to Osteoporosis. The risk is also increased by impairment of eyesight of an individual. The disorders that are associated to the risk include movement disorders, dementias and balance disorders. The risks can be reduced by removing obstacles and loose floors in a place that one lives (Body, 2000). Treatment and side effects Management of the condition can be done through several aspects with consideration of ones lifestyle, nutrition and medication. Lifestyle that one life prevent the disease as there are modification factors that are associated with how one lives. The condition may be prevented through regulation of these intakes. The intakes have also been linked with hormones that are responsible for the cause of the condition. These nutrients boost the production of hormones that are associated to the disease. Supplementation through nutrition does not affect the risk of death occurring to those with the condition, there are increased risks and complications with kidney stones and problems that are associated with the stomach. Medication is also important in management of the disease. Medication is mainly done to reduce the risk of future fracture in those that are affected by the disease. There is benefit on medication when it is done for a period of three to four years after one is affected with the disease. Medication reduces fracture in one with the disease depending on the bone that is involved. Nutrition also helps in management of the disease. Supplements of calcium and vitamin D that are from food reduces the risk to the disease Current research Research is currently underway to determine the correct cures that can be employed to the disease and reduce fractures that are abnormal in individual with the condition. The research is expected to come also with measures that are to be taken in women so that they are not much prone to the disease after menopause. References Afghani, A. (2009). Family history of osteoporosis. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Ben-Ari, E. (2007). Osteoporosis. [Bethesda, Md.]: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Body, J. (2000). Tumor bone diseases and osteoporosis in cancer patients. New York: Marcel Dekker. Cembrowicz, S., & Allain, T. (2007). Osteoporosis. London: Class Publ. Compston, J., & Rosen, C. (2009). Osteoporosis. Abingdon: Health Press.. Hoffmann, G. (2008). Osteoporosis. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark. Sambrook, P. (2006). Osteoporosis. Philadelphia: Saunders. Read More