Osteoporosis Essay

654321 Nicole Bourgeoise
Mrs. Peters
Anatomy and Physiology
4/2/12

Osteoporosis

        Osteoporosis is a significant health problem that affects all kinds of people worldwide. Many people are able to get this disease, mostly at an older age.   Although there aren’t many, symptoms and signs can be noticed during a later stage because osteoporosis develops silently over a period of years.   There is no known cure for this disease so remedies should be taken into effect to avoid further consequences, also procedures could be made during youth for prevention.   There is current research working on osteoporosis to help find a cure.   Because this disease is hard to notice, it is important to understand the effects and causes of osteoporosis.
Bones are in a constant state of renewal.   New bone is made while old bone is broken down.   In the disease osteoporosis, Osteoclasts breakdown bone faster than osteoblasts form new bone.   This disease is characterized by diminishing the structure of the skeleton and decreasing its bone mass, particularly the spongy bone.   This disease leads to the bones becoming fragile and increasing their susceptibility to fractures.   The most commonly affected bones are the hip, spine, and wrist.   Osteoporosis can cause an excessive amount of suffering, including loss of independence, or even death, especially when the fracture involves the hip.   Hip fractures can be tough to heal, and can decrease a person’s ability to move around, which can lead to complications and other health problems.
Anyone can be affected by osteoporosis, but some people are at a higher risk of developing it.   Osteoporosis is most common in women.   This is because of the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. It is also most common because women are generally smaller and have bones that are lighter and less dense. Although all races and ethnicities suffer from osteoporosis, it is Caucasian women who it is found to be most prominent.   When a person lives...