Question

Explain how osteoporosis develops and the potential causes.

Describe the ways that a relative can prevent the onset of osteoporosis

Answer 1

• Osteoporosis is a metabolic diseases characterised by bone demineralization
• It leads to loss of calcium and phosphorus which causes fracture and fragile bones
• It commonly occurs in wrist, hip and vertebral column
• Osteoporosis occurs in women due to menopause. After menopause, due to lack of calcium
• The main concern about this is that the patient will not show any symptoms until the bone will become fragile or fracture
• Fracture can occur due to minor injury
• There are 2 types Primary and secondary osteoporosis
• Causes
• Primary Cause- Mainly occur in men due to less testosterone and in women after menopause
• Less calcium intake, lack of circulating estrogen after menopause and sedentary life style are risk factors
• Secondary Cause- Prolonged medication therapy with corticosteroids, Using Antacids which contains aluminium, Thyroid reducing medications and antiseizure medications
• Another causes are Immobility for a long time, Alcoholism, Malnutrition and malabsorption
• Risk Factors- Smoking, Menopause, Alcohol usage, Female gender, Increasing Age, Lack of calcium intake, sedentary life style, Asian race or white european descent
• Management
• Use assistive device like cane
• Encourage range of motion exercises
• Assist with ambulation
• Avoid activities which cause vertebral decompression
• Eat a diet high in protein, calcium, Vitamins C, D and Iron
• Maintain correct body mechanics
• Maintain an adequete fluid to prevent renal calculi
• Administer medications to promote bone strength
• Prevention of onset of osteoporosis
• Exercises like weight bearing exercises such as Aerobics, climbing stairs, jogging, Dancing, Lifting, Push Ups, Squat, Lifting your children is also a good option
• Plenty of intake of Calcium and Vitamin D- Sardines, cereals, Soy Milk, Dark green vegetables, Salmon, Egg yolks, Orange Juice, Fatty fish, Beef liver, Tuna, Sunlight
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Do bone density test, especially women after menopause and after the age of 60
• If osteoporosis does run in a family, it is necessary to inform the doctor, take extra steps to prevent it
• Advice for a DXA or DEXA test(Dual energy X ray absorptiometry)
• It is suggested that Hormone replacement therapy after menopuse can slow down bone loss and gain bone strength