Background
The Osteoporosis condition is often prevalent among the elderly. Osteoporosis makes the body absorb more of the bone tissue than it produces. As a result, the bones become weary and weak (Porter & Varacallo). Some of the bones may become porous and eventually fracture. When the condition has advanced, it may cause some of the bones to fall off at the body’s mild stresses, such as when one is coughing or bends. The most vulnerable body parts for Osteoporosis are the hips, spine, and wrist (Porter & Varacallo). These areas are likely to be affected by the condition in both its initial and advanced stages. All genders and races are at risk of developing Osteoporosis. However, the condition is more prevalent in white and Asian women who have already reached their menopause stage.
Signs and Symptoms
Osteoporosis develops slowly, and the signs take significant time before becoming noticeable. Averagely, osteoporosis becomes severe ten years after menopause (Watts, 2018). Once one develops osteoporosis, the condition starts accelerating as one grows old. The rate of bone replacement tends to reduce significantly depending on the victim’s age. The first indicator of this condition is when one breaks their bones at the slightest fall or stress. The pain associated with osteoporosis is often severe and occurs in the lower back (Watts, 2018). This pain tends to be felt more when the victim spends more time standing or engaging in an activity such as walking or running. However, when one sits or lies down, they experience some relief.
Causes
Sex hormones such as estrogen play a significant role in the development of bones. Lower estrogen levels, especially in women during their perimenopause or menopause, reduce the body’s ability to replenish worn-out bone tissues (Akkawi & Zmerly, 2018). Estrogen provides the necessary minerals that aid in the generation of bone tissue. Men subjected to cancer treatment tend to experience low testosterone levels, hence becoming vulnerable to osteoporosis (Akkawi & Zmerly, 2018). Additionally, osteoporosis may develop when thyroids overreact, or there are excess thyroid hormones in the body. Higher levels of thyroid hormones increase the rate of bone reabsorption than the rate at which osteoblasts generate new bones. Calcium is an important mineral for the development of bones. Calcium works collaboratively with collagen to create intra- and extra-cellular calcium pools, which increases the bones’ strength and flexibility (Akkawi & Zmerly, 2018). Low calcium intake reduces bone density and diminishes bones’ flexibility, making them vulnerable to fractures. Some eating disorders, such as serious low food intake, weaken the body, leading to osteoporosis (Akkawi & Zmerly, 2018). Gastrointestinal surgery leads to the removal of a section of the intestines, thus leading to reduced surface areas for absorption of essential nutrients such as calcium which are necessary for the development of bones.
Risk Factors
Several risk factors increase the chances of one developing osteoporosis. Regarding gender, women are more likely to be affected by the condition than men (Pouresmaeili et al., 2018). Specifically, women in the menopause stage are the most vulnerable because they tend to experience intense bone loss. In terms of age, older people at 50 are more likely to develop the condition than younger people. Besides, men and women undergoing cancer treatment are more likely to develop the condition due to insufficient sex hormones. Regarding race and ethnicity, Asian and Caucasian women risk developing osteoporosis more than Black women (Pouresmaeili et al., 2018). Additionally, people whose parents or grandparents had the condition are likely to develop osteoporosis symptoms in late adulthood. Body weight is another factor that may increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. For instance, petite and thin people are at a greater risk of being affected by osteoporosis than those with large body mass. Lastly, lifestyle choices such as living a sedentary lifestyle increase the possibility of developing the condition (Tański et al., 2021). Furthermore, alcohol and tobacco use habits are likely to increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Treatment
There are various treatment methods for osteoporosis depending on the condition’s cause. Hormone therapy involves using medicines that have a similar effect on the development of bones as normal hormones such as estrogen and testosterone (Prior, 2018). Selective estrogen receptor modulators are some of the common medicines used for hormone therapy. Another significant hormonal medicine includes calcitonin-salmon, a synthetic hormone that reduces the rate of bone fracture (Tu et al., 2018). Bisphosphonates treatment is often applied to reduce the rate of bone tissue reabsorption and allow the body to reabsorb tissue according to the production rate. Some leading bisphosphonate formulations include Risedronate, Ibandronate, and Zoledronic acid (Prior, 2018). Biologics are often applied when other treatments have failed. They are antibodies that hinder the production of RANKL from reducing bone resorption (Tu et al., 2018). The anabolic agents treat osteoporosis by aiding in the rapid building of bones to match the rate at which bone issues are reabsorbed in the body (Prior, 2018). Lastly, supplements are given to the patient to provide minerals responsible for bone development, such as calcium and vitamin D.
Living with Osteoporosis
Living with osteoporosis requires taking the necessary precautions to reduce the injuries caused by bone fractures. One of the effective ways of reducing injuries is by installing safety handles that support one’s movement and reduce the possibility of falling due to lack of support (Nilsson et al., 2019). Additionally, it is essential to ensure dark rooms and corridors are well lit to prevent tumbling on invisible objects and falling. Furthermore, it is necessary to eradicate tripping hazards such as rugs and ensure the floor is kept dry to reduce the likelihood of falling. People with this condition should stick to the doctor’s medicine prescription and maintain a positive lifestyle, such as exercising regularly to strengthen the bones. It is essential to maintain positive emotions to reduce stress and prevent developing mental conditions such as depression which may interfere with the body’s hormones and elevate the condition (Prior, 2018). It is crucial to take precautions when exercising to prevent the fracturing of bones.
Prevention
Doing regular exercises is one of the most effective ways of preventing osteoporosis. Exercises increase the density of the bones and strengthen the bones against stresses that may cause fractures (Prior, 2018). Some of the most effective exercises for this condition include weight-bearing exercises that strengthen muscles and ligaments and resistance exercises that strengthen tendons (Kaleağasıoğlu et al., 2018). Additionally, one should eat a healthy balanced diet that contains essential nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium, which are essential for developing bones. Healthy eating is essential in giving the body the necessary strength and increasing the body mass to levels that make it easier for the body to handle the condition (Prior, 2018). Furthermore, one should maintain a positive lifestyle by avoiding alcohol and tobacco, which tend to increase the vulnerability of developing osteoporosis. Lastly, it is essential to visit the doctor for regular checkups for early detection of the condition (Ahn & Oh, 2021). Osteoporosis tends to develop slowly and may go unnoticed for a significant period. Regular checkups are essential for identifying the condition in its initial stages, thus making treatment easier.
References
Ahn, S., & Oh, J. (2021). Effects of a health-belief-model-based osteoporosis-and fall-prevention program on women at early old age. Applied nursing research, 59, 151430.
Akkawi, I., & Zmerly, H. (2018). Osteoporosis: current concepts. Joints, 6(02), 122-127.
Garry-Webb, T. (n.d.). Osteoporosis prevalence by ethnicity [Graph]. Researchgate.net.
Kaleağasıoğlu, F., Olcay, E., & Onur, R. (2018). Statins as potential agents for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Endocrine, 62(1), 269-269.
Nilsson, C., Lindberg, B., Juuso, P., & Olsson, M. (2019). Experiences of striving to maintain daily life among women with osteoporosis. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 14(1), 1647402.
Nohr, M. (2022). Symptoms of Osteoporosis [Photograph]. DrJockers.com.
Osteoporosis. (2022). [Photograph].
Porter, J. L., & Varacallo, M. (2022). Osteoporosis. StatPearls Publishing; 2022 –. PMID: 28722930.
Pouresmaeili, F., Kamalidehghan, B., Kamarehei, M., & Goh, Y. M. (2018). A comprehensive overview on osteoporosis and its risk factors. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 14, 2029.
Prior, J. C. (2018). Progesterone for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women. Climacteric, 21(4), 366-374.
Tański, W., Kosiorowska, J., & Szymańska-Chabowska, A. (2021). Osteoporosis-risk factors, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 25(9), 3557-3566.
Tu, K. N., Lie, J. D., Wan, C. K. V., Cameron, M., Austel, A. G., Nguyen, J. K.,… & Hyun, D. (2018). Osteoporosis: a review of treatment options. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 43(2), 92.
Watts, N. B. (2018). Postmenopausal osteoporosis: a clinical review. Journal of women’s health, 27(9), 1093-1096.
Wu, C. (n.d.). Osteoporosis treatment algorithm [Illustration]. Researchgate.net.