Osteoporosis: Disease that Affects the Skeletal System

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Skeletal System: Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disorder that affects the skeletal system. According to Tu et al., this disease makes individuals vulnerable to bone fractures arising from declining bone mineral density, demineralization, and reduced strength (92). Its asymptomatic nature leaves it undiagnosed for years leading to manifestation as low-trauma hip injuries, pelvis, spine, or wrist fractures that require hospitalization. As a result, this disease is a concerning one due to its silent characteristics.
Prevalence of Osteoporosis
Trends indicate that osteoporosis is a global disease whose prevalence suggests that the condition will continue to increase notably in the future as worldwide populations age. Akkawi and Zmerly state that older men and postmenopausal women comprise the most affected groups (122). Statistics indicate that the disease affects about 200 million individuals globally and causes up to 8.9 million fractures (Akkawi and Zmerly 122). Projections by Tu et al. showed that in the United States, the number of affected individuals would rise to 14 million by 2020 (92). Besides being the leading cause of fractures in the highlighted groups, this condition triggers serious health complications that leave patients bedridden.
Causes of the Disease and Risk Factors
Osteoporosis arises from excessive bone degeneration compared to the regeneration rate. As a result, bones become weak and brittle to breakage (Spriggs). Spriggs indicates that the causes or risk factors for developing this condition are modifiable and non-modifiable. Age and sex represent the latter and affect men and women differently. Other risk factors include a low BMI, deficiency of essential minerals like vitamin D and calcium, hyperkyphosis, excessive intake of specific medications, alcohol abuse, and smoking (Akkawi and Zmerly 122). A person’s race and dietary choices also play a significant role because black people are less vulnerable than their white counterparts.
Signs and Symptoms
No symptoms exist during the early stages of the disease. However, once it progresses, a person starts to experience height loss, back pain due...