Bones are living tissues that constantly regenerate throughout life. Until the around the age of 20, the body makes new bone faster than old bone is removed. In order to ensure the healthiest and strongest bones possible later in life, Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, suggests getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D and exercise. The most common types of bone diseases may be caused by infection, genetics, trauma or a combination of these factors.
Osteoporosis
A common occurrence in older women, osteoporosis causes the bones to become weak and more breakable, states Medline Plus. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men older than age 50 will suffer a broken bone because of osteoporosis. You may be more at risk of osteoporosis if you have a family history of the disease, have osteopenia or low bone mass, smoke, are Asian or white, and have a petite frame. Ask your doctor to conduct a bone mineral density test to determine if you have osteoporosis.
Osteomyelitis
The Mayo Clinic states that osteomyelitis is simply an infection in bone tissue. The infection commonly originates in another area of the body and either spreads to the bones or is carried there by the blood. Physical trauma, however, can cause the infection to begin in the bone as well. Osteomyelitis is more common in the pelvis, spine, leg and arm bones, and is often successfully treated though it is considered a serious condition.
Paget's Disease
Paget's disease of bone tissue, more common with advanced age, causes bones to become misshapen and brittle. The Mayo Clinic states this is because the normal process and balance of old bone tissue being broken down, along with creation of new bone, is altered. Treatment should be started as soon as possible, as early treatment is vital to avoid serious complications of this disease; early symptoms may include discomfort experienced in the joints and bones.
Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is uncommon, but when it does occur it is commonly found in the long bones of the body, according to Mayo Clinic. There are several types of bone cancer and they may begin in any bone; some are more common in children and some are found more often in adults. Cancers which begin in other parts of the body and spread to the bone, as well as those which begin in the bone marrow, are not considered bone cancer; to be classified as bone cancer, it must begin in the bone.
