Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bone mineral density is significantly reduced. This renders the bone significantly more at risk of fracture. Typically, osteoporotic fractures occur in the femoral necks, the vertebra, and the wrist.
Although osteoporosis may occur in men, especially elderly men, the typical patients are postmenopausal women. There are a number of risk factors that predispose bones to develop osteoporosis. These factors include poor diet, steroid usage, smoking, and premature ovarian failure.
Treatment
Treatment involves of this disease is removing underlying potentiating factors, such as improving diet and preventing further bone loss with drug treatment, (e.g., vitamin D and calcium supplements; newer treatments include drugs that increase bone mineral density)
More from this Section
- Ablation
Ablation is the surgical operation to remove part of the BRAIN. ... - Liver
The liver is the largest gland in the body and has a wide variety of functions. ... - Cultural Competence
Cultural Competence is a group of skills, attitudes and knowledge that allows persons, ... - Inferior Mesenteric Vein
The inferior mesenteric vein is a tributary of the portal circulation. It begins halfway ... - Abdomen
The diaphragm separates the thorax from the abdomen. Structures that pass between the ...