What is Osteoporosis? By: Sarah Berardelli

Introduction/Description to Osteoporosis Osteoporosis- a condition that causes bones to become very weak and brittle to the point that minor strains such as bending or coughing can cause a fracture -This can cause stooped posture, trouble walking, and a lot of pain -The spins adjustment is called the Dowager’s hump -Usually seen in women over 50 years of age

Causes of osteoporosis There are multiple different causes to osteoporosis: - Being inactive Aging not having enough calcium in your diet Alcohol use Using steroids Low vitamin D levels Having emotional stress Nutritional deficiencies A person can go years without knowing that it is forming; they will have no symptoms or discomfort until a fracture occurs Some foods that can help cause it: - Sweetened beverages - sugar - processed red meat

How it Affects the Body/Mind -Calcium and phosphate are the 2 most important minerals in an average bone -Affects all bones in the body, but mainly the hip, wrist, and spine -doesn’t affect the mind

Does it Spread? Genes? With osteoporosis bone density is constantly decreasing which cause the bones to be brittle. This is spread throughout the body. Osteoporosis is not known to be passed down There is a gene that can affect the odds of developing osteoporosis It is called DARC- makes a protein needed to help break down bone They are testing this gene on mice to hopefully find more treatments

How can it be treated and/or cured? Is it fatal? - The main concern with having osteoporosis is keeping the bones as strong as they possibly can be Some different treatments are: Evista - acts like the hormone estrogen and can help maintain bone mass without having a higher chances of breast and uterine cancer Bisphosphonates which are Actonel, Binosto, Boniva, and Fosamax – these keep the body from breaking down more bone Take Actonel, Binosto, and Fosamax once weekly and then Boniva is taken once a month; if incorrectly taken they can cause ulcers in the stomach Reclast- helps keep bones strong also and reduce fractures in the hip, spine, wrist, arm, leg, or rib -Taken once yearly There is not a cure, but is able to be controlled with the proper medical care Osteoporosis is not fatal, but when bones are breaking it can cause blood clotting and pneumonia which can have a fatal outcome

5 Facts: The Dowager’s hump is caused from the vertebrae fracturing causing a hunched back and there is no way to prevent the hump from forming; can reduce it early be taking calcium and vitamin D daily Those with or have suffered from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, etc.) are more prone to developing osteoporosis African Americans are by far less likely to get osteoporosis over other ethnic because their population has stronger bones, also have a greater bone density Affects roughly 10 million Americans; every 10 people- 8 are women and 2 are men A women’s risk of a hip fracture is equal to the possibility of her getting breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers put together

Stages: Stage 1- begins around age 35; before it is detectable Stage 2: between ages 35-55 when osteoporosis is detectable with special tests Stage 3: can start at age 45 and is detected by bone fractures Stage 4: starts at age 55 with fractures, chronic pain, and deformity

Work Cited: “Dowagers Humps | Definition | Causes | Treatments for Back Hump.” Dowagers Humps | Definition | Causes | Treatments for Back Hump, www.osteopenia3.com/dowagers-humps.html. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017. “8 Facts About Osteoporosis.” Sacramento Magazine - Sacramento, California, www.sacmag.com/Sacramento-Magazine/October-2008/8-Facts-About-Osteoporosis/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017. Hayslett, Ayana. “What Other Body Systems Are Affected by Osteoporosis.” Prezi.com, 7 Nov. 2013, prezi.com/76xud1y32nnw/what-other-body-systems-are-affected-by-osteoporosis/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017. Hitti, Miranda. “Osteoporosis in the Genes?” WebMD, WebMD, 28 Mar. 2007, www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/news/20070328/osteoporosis-in-the-genes. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017. “Osteoporosis Diet and 5 Natural Treatments.” Dr. Axe, draxe.com/osteoporosis-diet-5-natural-treatments/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.