DISEASES OF BONES
OSTEOPOROSIS:in this condition bone mass(amount of bone tissue) is reduced because its depostion does not keep pace with resorption .peak bone mass occurs around 35years and then gradually declines in the both sexes.lowered oestrogen levels after menopause are associated with a period of accelerated bone loss in women.thereafter bone densisty in women is less than in men for any given age.bone progressively weakened with cancellous bone affected first by thinning and loss of trabeculae .in the post menopausal period an imbalance of hormones probly cause bone weakening ,i.e,between anabolic steriods (oestrogen and androgens) and antianabolic steriods (glucocorticiods).common features of osteoporesis are :1)skeletal deformity gradual loss of height with age,which is caused by decomposstion of vertebrae.2)bone pain.3)fractures especially of the hip(neck of femur),wrist and vertebrae.CAUSES OF DECRESED BONE MASS:1`)RISK FACTORS:female gender,increasing age,white ethnic origin,family history,lack of exercise/immobility,diet(low calcium),smoking,excess alcohol intake,early menopause/oophorectomy,thin build(small bones)2)DRUGS:corticosteriods3)DISEASES:cushings syndrome,hyperparathyroidism,type 1 diabetes mellitus,rheumoid arthiritis,chronic renal failure,chronic liver diseases,anorexia nervosa,neoplasia.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:27 am
I agree that menopause is a cause for developing osteoporosis among women. That’s why getting enough calcium before hitting menopausal age is very important. Thanks for the information.