1. Osteoporosis Tristan Slater Period Seven

2. So, what is osteoporosis? o Affects the skeletal system o Causes bones to become brittle o Most common bones affected: hip, wrist, and vertebrae o Commonly affects: post- menopausal women, inactive people, and people on steroids for asthma or to treat arthritis

3. The homeostatic imbalance causing osteoporosis is: o Calcium or Vitamin D deficiency o Hormonal Changes – estrogen levels drop

4. Osteoporosis can occur at any age… But it most commonly appears in people over 50 years of age

5. Symptoms: o Often show no symptoms early on o Dull neck or lower back pain o Later in the disease, sharp radiating pains may occur o A dowager’s hump (stooped posture) may occur late in the disease due to small back fractures

6. Treatments/Medications o Biophosphates are the most common subscribed medicines Alendronate (Fosamax) Ibandronate (Boriva) Zolendranic Acid (Reclast, Zometa) They slow down the breakdown process and maintain bone density during menopause

7. A possible future treatment option… o Injection of TSH in animals (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) showed prevention of bone loss and even bone growth Could it soon be used for Osteoporosis in humans?

8. Bibliography  www.healthcentral.com  www.emedicinehealth.com  www.health.nytimes.com