Osteoporosis

Introduction  The word comes from osteon which means bone and porosis means holes.  The bone is made up of protein and calcium. The protein is collagen.  These can be of two types:  Cracking of bones. It can be hip or other area.  Collapse can also take place. Spine, wrists and hips can be target area

Symptoms  In terms of symptoms it is very problematic.  People may not think of the disease until they encounter severe pain.  The pain actually categories the disease.  Whatever happens the pain and symptoms are same in both male and females.

Result of the disease  The disease can cause patient to have low quality life.  If fracture occurs at late stage of life the person can no longer live independently.

Diagnosis  X rays are employed to confirm the disease.  Blood or urine test is often recommended in order to examine the metabolism of bone.  DEXA scan can be used for diagnosis in which the results of BMD of the patient are compared with the BMD results of a healthy individual.

Factors Causing Osteoporosis  Genetics  Lack of exercise  Fewer amount of calcium and vitamin D  Smoking  Menopause

Treatment for the disease Bisphosphates  Usually referred to as diphosphates.  They help to increase the bone mineral density.  They discourage bone degradation by using osteoclasts to undergo cell death as a result bones are not destroyed.  They have high affinity for the bones so they are readily absorbed by the body.  They are ingested by the cells as a result they die.

Hormonal and Calcium and vitamin D  Hormones are used to regulate the calcium levels in the body.  Some will slow down the breaking process while others will help the bone formation by introduction of calcium.  By taking calcium and vitamin D orally bone formation occurs and the effect of the disease is reduced.

SERMs, Stem Cells  Selective estrogen receptors modulators are compounds that act on estrogen receptor.  Ability to produce hormonal effect on different tissues.  Stem cells that were treated with insulin like growth hormone factor-1 have supported the regeneration of the bones.

Parathyroid hormone therapy and Therapy by Antibodies  A higher concentration of this hormone in the blood serum results in the weakening of bone.  Recombinant human parathyroid hormone has shown a positive result in the stimulation of bone formation.  Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand.  The only problem with this treatment is its cost.