Bone diseases are illnesses that result in the damage of normal bone function and can cause the bones to become weak. Common forms of bone diseases are osteoporosis, a bone disease in which the amount of bone is decreased and becomes weak; osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor; and Paget's disease, a bone disease in which bones become enlarged and deformed. Once past the age of 20, bone is lost faster than it's made. Deficiency in the rate that bones rebuild and grow, poor nutrition and genetic factors can lead to different types of bone diseases.
Prevalence
Osteoporosis is characterized by the bones weakening and eventually breaking. It's mainly common in older women, but anybody can develop the disease. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, osteoporosis will cause breakage of bone in a quarter of men and half of all women older than the age of 50. Also according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Caucasian and Asian women are also more prone to develop osteoporosis disease. People 40 years of age and older are more likely to develop Paget's disease, however men are affected more than women.
Causes
Some causes of bone mass loss include reduction of estrogen levels in menopausal women, and low testosterone and estrogen levels in men. Although the cause of bone cancer is not clearly defined, it is likely that people who have received high levels of external radiation therapy are susceptible to osteosarcoma. The cause of Paget's disease is largely unknown, although it may have a genetic basis.
Risk Factors
Increased chance of fractures, early bone loss and declining bone density can result from low calcium intake. Other risk factors include eating disorders, aging, having a small, thin body frame, and having a sedentary lifestyle. Also people who have other conditions, such as Paget's disease or abnormal development of new bone cells, are at higher risk for developing bone cancer.
Signs And Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoporosis can be quite silent. A bone may be broken before the disease is discovered. Bone cancer symptoms are usually associated with pain, although some bone cancers don't produce pain. Sometimes swelling or abnormal pain may be in the bone or near the bone. Paget's disease symptoms can consist of bone pain, bowing of the legs, headache, enlarged head, and joint pain or stiffness.
Treatment
Treatment for bone disease or bone cancer depends on the type and stage of the cancer; however treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Estrogen can help maintain bone density. Paget's disease can be treated with medicine, surgery, dietand an exercise regimen. According to MayoClinic.com, the use of hormone therapy to treat bone disease can increase the risk of blood clots, certain cancers and heart disease.
