Pathological Disorders: Osteoporosis In The Human Body

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterised by low bone density weakening of bony tissue. When this occurs bones are more prone to fractures Bone loss happens without any symptoms that’s why some individuals might not know that they have osteoporosis until the bones are so weak and fragile. Women are affected by osteoporosis than men because women have lower dense bone mass and an increased rate of low bone mass especially after menopause.
Primary osteoporosis is the most common type of osteoporosis. Women are more affected than men. The peak bone density of an individual is reached at an age of 30, as one grows older the bone loss increases and the rate of bone building decreases. Osteoporosis development depends on the thickness of …show more content…
Calcium in the human body has role of preserving or storing calcium supply so as to meet the body metabolic processes in cases of calcium deficiency. In children calcium deficiency (lack of calcium) it may affect growth, delay the strengthening of the skeleton bones. In adults, lack of calcium causes deployment and weakening of bones and leads sooner or later to osteoporosis. When calcium is absorbed in the body it helps in the normal functioning of the heart, blood, nerves and muscles. When on does not take a calcium rich diet the body is forced to withdraw calcium from the bone bank (calcium in stored in the bones) for it to use in other parts of the body. When the body takes more calcium from the body and if one does not replace the calcium by taking calcium rich food the bone density will decline and thus a risk of osteoporosis. Studies have shown that calcium intake in strongly advised so as to maintain the bone density. Examples of calcium rich foods are cheese milk and …show more content…
When a fracture occurs it affects the person’s quality of life and health. They can also result in long term disability, chronic pain and sometimes death. The most common types of fractured due to osteoporosis are hip and vertebral fractures .Hip fractures are more common in elderly people which result in reduced mobility and chronic pain. They often occur at the neck of the femur which is the weakest part of the thigh bone at the end of the socket joint. Vertebral fractures are a lot more serious if they occur and they have the greatest impaction on one’s health and wellbeing. They can lead to immobility, severe chronic pain, deformities, reduced pulmonary function even death if the spinal cord is affected. These fractures can also lead to depression, a distorted body image, loss of self-esteem and reduced ability to carry out daily