Articole

About Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition affecting the bones, causing the weakness, fragility and bone breaking predisposition (fractures). These fractures most often occur in the spine, wrists and hip, but they can also affect other bones, such as the arm or pelvis. In the UK, approximately 3 million people have osteoporosis suspicions, with an yearly rate of more than 230,000 patients with resulting fractures. Even if it was generally associated to postmenopausal female patients, osteoporosis may also be encountered in male patients, young women or children.
The bone is made of a hard outer layer with a collagen network (string elastic fibres), minerals (including calcium), blood vessels and the bone marrow on the inside. This collagen matrix has the appearance of a honeycomb, with spaces amongst the various components. Healthy bones are very dense, and the spaces inside the bone are small. In the bone affected by osteoporosis, the spaces are larger, which weakens the bone, leads to the loss of elasticity and breakage predisposition.

Spine Osteoporosis

The vertebral column (backbone) (backbone) extends from the skull to the pelvis and it is made up of 33 bones, called vertebrae. The vertebrae are disposed in a metameric structure (one above the other), and the spaces delimiting the vertebrae host the intervertebral discs, whose role is to absorb shocks. These intervertebral discs ensure the flexibility of the vertebral column. Vertebrae more exposed to osteoporosis , because they are made up of a softer bone tissue than the other bones in the body.
Osteoporosis causes the thinning, weakening and fragility of the bones. If weakened, the vertebrae may fracture and collapse under normal pressure. The thinned bones may collapse during routine activities, causing vertebral fractures. Compression fractures cause severe pain and can permanently alter the shape and strength of the vertebral column.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the decrease of bone density and bones to bone. Under the influence of osteoporosis, the bones form an abnormal, compressible, sponge-like porous structure. This bone system condition weakens the bones and leads to frequent fractures. Osteopenia is a bone condition that also leads to a lower-than-normal bone density, but it is less severe than the one caused by osteoporosis.
A normal bone is made up of proteins, collagen fibres and

Male Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (porous bone) is a condition that weakens the bones making them susceptible to fractures. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis may progress, without pain or symptoms, leading to bone fractures. These fractures most often occur in the hip and the spine. Osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million fractures per year (300,000 hip fractures, 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000 hand joint fractures and more than 300,000 other bone fractures). In the US, the estimated yearly cost of treatment of osteoporosis and related lesions (hospitals and nursery homes) amounts to 14 billion dollars.

Female Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease most common at women that causes the fragility of the bones and a predisposition to fractures. This is a condition with severe consequences on health and the quality of life. Some women – especially those who do not have access to medical care – experience fractures that could be prevented if osteoporosis is timely treated. On the other hand, not all women who suffer