Osteoporosis Research Paper

Osteoporosis is a metabolic condition that is slow and progressive and leads to decreased bone mass. This disease is usually found in the elderly but can present in postmenopausal and estrogen-deficient women (Colbert, Ankney & Lee, 2013). Osteoporosis can affect any bone in the body but most commonly affects the hips and spine. The decreased bone mass causes weak bones which leads to fractures. Fractures in elderly patients with Osteoporosis can occur from normal activities such as walking and are very common; some complications can arise as a result of these fractures.
Component 1: Identify the body systems affected by the disease Osteoporosis affects the skeletal system of the body. Osteoporosis is a condition caused by a decrease in bone density which lowers the strength of all bones in the body and makes them fragile (Colbert, Ankney & Lee, 2013). The major functions of the skeletal system include: provides structure, allows the body to move (with the muscles), protects the soft body parts,
A routine x-ray can reveal the disease because the bones will look much lighter and thinner than normal bones (Shiel, W. MD. 2013). Unfortunately though, by the time this can be seen on an x-ray, about 30% of the bone is already lost, making them a less than perfect diagnostic tool. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends the dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan or Dexa scan for diagnosing this disease (Shiel, W. MD, 2013). This scan measures bone density in the hip, spine, and forearm. The test is quick and exposes the patient to minimal radiation. The patient’s bone density is then compared to the average density of young adults of the same sex and race (Shiel, W. MD, 2013). Doctors use this comparison to give the patient a score (T-score) which describes the bone density in numbers below the young adult’s density. Osteoporosis is diagnosed when the T-score given is at or below 2.5 (Shiel, W. MD.