Osteoporosis is a bone disease that is on the rise in the current world. In America, around forty percent of the population suffers from osteoporosis. The disease can remain hidden in one’s body until a fracture happens. Osteoporosis is the reduction of bone mass and density, which eventually results in a fracture (Rizzoli, 2010). Medical researchers have invested heavily in this course to find a solution to this silent disease, but so far, there is no known cure for osteoporosis. However, the ministry of health provides guidelines on how people suffering from the disease can reduce its effects as well as ways to avoid the modifiable risks associated with the condition.
Risk factors associated with the development of osteoporosis are both modifiable risks and non-modifiable risks. Modifiable risks are those that a person can avoid and reduce the chances of developing the disease. Modifiable risk in the development of osteoporosis includes poor diet, excessive consumption of alcohol and the use of cigarettes among other things. Alcohol consumption in low quantities helps to increase bone mass. However, excessive consumption of the same leads to bone density reduction leaving one prone to osteoporosis. Poor diet, especially too much consumption of animal proteins affects bone mass and density. Research indicates that too much use of soft drinks affects bone mass leaving one prone to osteoporosis. The general health history of a patient can increase or reduce their chances of developing osteoporosis. A person who has suffered the disease before is likely to develop such complications in the future. Some medications, especially those given to people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can cause osteoporosis. In terms of gender, osteoporosis affects women more than men. Older age is a risk factor in the development of osteoporosis (Rizzoli, 2010). Additionally, although osteoporosis can affect all people, it is highly associated with people of European and Asian origin.
Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are often confused. The two conditions are currently on the rise and although they are both related to bones; they do not have much in common. Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects joints while osteoporosis affects bones. The conditions are diagnosed in different ways because they have different risk factors and present different impacts. Most of the risk factors in the development of osteoarthritis are modifiable as opposed to risk factors in the development of osteoporosis. Patients suspected to have osteoporosis undergo a bone density exam while those suspected to have osteoarthritis undergo a physical exam. Lastly, although both conditions indicate some level of pain, in osteoporosis pain only occurs when there is a fracture. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is highly painful because of the inflammation and constant bone movements (Balch, Stengler & Balch, 2011).
In conclusion, bone diseases are riskier than most of other diseases because they limit mobility. In addition, most bone diseases are incurable thus making them dangerous. The ministry of health, however, continues to invest many resources in research to establish suitable solutions to bone conditions. Understanding the risk factors associated with these conditions can help significantly in the reduction of bone related diseases. People around the world can employ home care mechanisms to reduce the number of complications arising from bone related diseases (Balch et al., 2011). The mechanisms include physical exercise, good diet, and avoidance of minor injuries.
References
Balch, J., Stengler, M. & Balch, R. (2011). Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis drug alternatives all- natural options for better health without the side effects. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
Rizzoli, R. (2010). The Atlas of postmenopausal osteoporosis. London: Current Medicine Group.