Bones are calcified substances that allow the body to have shape and support. Sometimes, the bones can be susceptible to fractures and diseases such as cancer. This can significantly affect movement and, subsequently, an individual's quality of life. Fortunately, diseases of the bone can be managed in specific ways.
Osteoporosis
The American College of Rheumatology says that osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones weaken and become susceptible to fracture. In fact, it states that osteoporosis is a bone condition that affects both men and women.
Symptoms of osteoporosis include a stooped posture (kyphosis), back pain, a loss of height and fracture of the hips or back bones.
Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include smoking cigarettes, abusing alcohol, having a small bone structure and being sedentary. Other risk factors involve being anorexic, being of old age (mid-30s or greater) and taking such medications as prednisone or prednisolone.
Treating osteoporosis involves taking 1,000 to 1,500mg of calcium daily as well as taking vitamin D supplements. Medications such as aldendronate and risendronate can also be used to treat osteoporosis. Other treatment options involve calcitonin, hormone replacement therapy and teriparitide.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
MedlinePlus says that osteogenesis imperfecta refers to a medical problem in which the bones are extremely brittle. Specific symptoms for osteogenesis imperfecta include a bluish color to the white parts of the eyes (sclera), many bone fractures and hearing loss. Other symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta include a curvature of the spine (scoliosis), bowing of the legs or arms and kyphosis (a stooped posture). Sometimes, people with osteogenesis imperfecta can also have loose joints and poor teeth formation.
Osteogenesis imperfecta is due to an alteration in the gene that is supposed to make type 1 collagen.
Treating osteogensis imperfecta involves taking such medications as bisphosphonates and doing low-impact exercises. Another treatment for osteogenesis imperfecta involves reconstructive surgery to repair any deformities.
Bone Tumors
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) says that bone tumors are a group of cells that divide and grow rapidly within the bone. It states that most bone tumors are not life-threatening, but some are malignant.
Four types of bone tumors exist: multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Multiple myeloma refers to a common type of bone cancer that affects 20 per million people annually in the United States, says the AAOS. Osteosarcoma is the second-most common type of bone cancer. Ewing's sarcoma typically affects people between the ages of 5 and 20, while chondrosarcoma affects people between 40 and 70 years old.
Specific symptoms of bone tumors include a dull and achy pain in the bone, fever and night sweats. Sometimes, the bone tumor may be painless.
Treating bone tumors may involve radiation, chemotherapy or amputation. Sometimes, the bone tumor just needs to be monitored.
