OSTEOPOROSIS

(OSTEO =Bone, PORO=Opening, SIS= Condition.)

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INTRODUCTION:

It is the pathological condition characterized by the reduction in bone tissue mass per unit volume which leads to the pores in bones and afflicts the entire skeletal system. The bones turn fragile and may break upon the stress, shrinkage of vertebrae, bone pain occurs.

Women suffer more than men, why?

It is because the women bones are less massive and estrogens and testosterone which are secreted only in the males stimulate the osteoblast activity and inturn the synthesis of bone extracellular matrix.
In the post –menopausal cases, production of estrogens decline worsening the condition.

CAUSES:

Bone Resorption becomes predominant than the Bone Deposition which leads to the thickening of the bone matrix and bone mass decreases. Diminished levels of calcium from body which is due to the loss from urine, feaces, sweat .Mutation in COL-A1 and Col-A2 genes may also contribute to this condition.

TREATMENT:
In post-menopausal women, it includes 1)Estrogen Replacement therapy,
2)Harmone Replacement Therapy. They have the drawback of increasing the risk of breast cancer in women.

CHEMO-THERAPY:
The drug raloxifene is preferred as it causes no breast cancer. It mimics the action of estrogens on bone. alendronate is the non-harmone drug which blocks resorption of bone by osteoclasts.

PREVENTION:
Diet which is rich in calcium must be taken, women especially in the younger age must be properly fed. Adequate calcium supplements must be taken and proper exercise must be done