Sunday, October 4, 2009

Osteoporosis

What You Need to Know About Osteoporosis:

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis literally means porous bone, which means there are holes in the bone. Therefore, the bones become weak and brittle. Often, those affected experience painful fractures. To preven this condition, one should build up their bone mass at a young age by consuming enough calcium and vitamin D, and exercising regularly. This condition can be passed on genetically, is four times more frequent in women, and increases with age.
What are the symptoms?
Osteoporosis generally doesn't show any visible symptoms until the damage has already been done. It is often called a "silent" disease because of this. However, some may experience shortened height or a Dowager's hump. A more definite sign of osteoporosis is a fracture, which usually occurs in the back or hip. Once the first fracture occurs, you are at risk for more.
What body systems are affected?
The skeletal system is affected by this disease because it occurs in bones, which are a key part of the skeletal system. Eventually, though, it could affect more systems like the respiratory system because you wouldn't be able to stand upright and breathing would be labored, and the muscular system because you wouldn't be able to exercise.
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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it's safe to say that the skeletal system is affected by Osteoporosis. Since the skeletal system is the framework of our bodies, having problems with it will effect many other body systems such as the muscular system.

Kim W. said...

Yes. In the long run, osteoporosis does affect many more systems in addiction to the obvious skeletal system.

Anonymous said...

Osteoporosis effects normal body functioning because the body is weaker because of the holes. Which cause the body to be fragile and not allow much strength and movement.

Katie F. said...

Osteoporosis definitly affects the homeostasis of the body because it puts holes in the bones. It makes the bones break much more easily which isn't good.

Mrs. Bernstein said...

Absolutely - many diseases effect one system directly, leading to additional effects on other areas of the body.