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| Bone Disorders by Pharmacytimess |
Bone diseases
Bone is a living, growing tissue that mainly consists of
collagen and calcium. Bones provide a rigid framework, known as the skeleton,
which protects soft organs and supports the body. Certain conditions can affect
bone strength and flexibility and result in health complications.
There are two types of bone in
the body. Cortical bones are
compact and dense and form the outer layer of the bones. Trabecular or cancellous bones make up the bones’ inner
layer and are spongy with a honeycomb structure. The bones not only protect the
organs from injury but also allow the body to move and provide support.
Additionally, bones act as a reservoir for minerals such as calcium.
A person may have a condition or disease that
affects the flexibility and strength of the bones. These conditions may arise
from various sources, including genetics, environmental factors, diet, and infections.
Some common bone conditions include:
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is
a disease that results in a decrease in bone mass and mineral
density. The quality and structure of the bone may also change. Osteoporosis
can decrease bone strength and increase the risk of fracturing.
The
risk of osteoporosis increases with age and affects people of all ethnic
groups. It most commonly affects non-Hispanic white females and Asian
females.
Learn more about: Osteoporosis
Osteopenia
Osteopenia refers
to a decrease in bone mineral density below a normal level but not low
enough for a doctor to classify it as osteoporosis.
A
T-score is a measure of bone density. A
person with a T-score between -1 and -2.5 will receive a diagnosis of
osteopenia, whereas a doctor would classify a T-score lower than -2.5 as
osteoporosis. The prevalence of osteopenia is
Paget’s
disease
Paget’s
disease is a condition that affects the bone remodeling process. This refers to
the action by which the body breaks down old bone tissue and replaces it with
new bone tissue.
In
people with this chronic condition, the process of rebuilding bones takes place
at a faster rate, resulting in an unusual bone structure. This can
either cause the bones to become softer or larger, making them more susceptible
to complications such as bending or fractures.
Learn more about: Paget's disease
Osteogenesis
imperfecta
Osteogenesisimperfecta (OI) is a disorder that causes the bones to fracture easily.
Some people may also refer to OI as brittle bone disease. The condition results
from a change or mutation in the genes that carry information for making a
protein known as type I collagen. This protein is necessary for strong bones.
People
with a family history of OI have a higher risk of having the disease
as a person can inherit the gene mutation through one or both of their parents.
There are different types of OI. The most common and mildest type is type I,
while type II is the most severe.
Learn more about: Osteogenesis Iperfecta
Osteonecrosis
Osteonecrosis,
also known as avascular necrosis or aseptic necrosis, occurs when there is a
disruption to a bone’s blood flow, leading to
While
osteonecrosis may occur in any bone in the body, it commonly affects the
shoulders, hips, and knees. The condition occurs most often in people aged 20–50
years. These individuals also often have a history of trauma, corticosteroid use,
or excessive alcohol intake.
Learn more about: Osteonecrosis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is
the most common form of arthritis. This condition affects the
body’s joints by degrading cartilage, the tissue that covers the surface of
joints. Osteoarthritis can also change the shape of bones. Osteoarthritis
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis describes
an
Fibrous
dysplasia
Fibrousdysplasia occurs when abnormal fibrous tissue replaces healthy bone
tissue. The unusual scar-like tissue makes the bone weaker. This can cause the
bone to change shape and increase the risk of fractures.
Fibrousdysplasia typically occurs due to a gene mutation that results in bone cells
producing an abnormal type of fibrous bone. While it can develop in any bone,
it occurs most often in the thigh bone, shin bone, ribs, skull,
humerus, and pelvis.
Learn more about: Fibrous dysplasia
Bone
cancer and tumors
Bone cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that begins when cells in a bone
start to grow out of control. Any of the cells in the bone can develop into
cancer.
Primary
bone cancers are cancers that start in the bone. The
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia,
also known as bone softening, refers to a condition where the bone does not
harden the way it should after forming. This metabolic bone disease occurs when
there is incomplete mineralization of the bone. Mineralization refers
to the process where minerals coat the inner layer of the bone, forming a hard
outer shell. The incomplete formation of this shell leaves the collagen soft
and vulnerable.
Learn more about: Osteomalacia
Rickets
Rickets is
a childhood bone condition similar to osteomalacia, but it occurs due to
imperfect mineralization.
It
results in soft, weak bones, typically due to a vitamin D deficiency.
Without sufficient vitamin D, the body cannot metabolize calcium and
phosphorous, which are essential for proper bone development and growth.
Vitamin D deficiency may result from inadequate nutrition, lack of
sun exposure, or malabsorption.
Learn more about: Rickets
Autoimmune
conditions
An autoimmune
condition occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own cells,
tissue, and organs. Bone diseases can develop secondary to some autoimmune
diseases, increasing the risk of complications such as bone loss and fractures.
These conditions
- Type I diabetes: People with this
condition produce minimal or no insulin, meaning the body cannot
absorb sugar from food easily. People with type I diabetes have a higher
risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE): This condition can result in
widespread inflammation affecting many parts of the body. Some treatment
options for SLE may put people at a higher risk of bone loss and
fractures.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): This condition causes the body’s immune system to attack the membranes around the joints and causes the cartilage to degrade. There is an increased risk of bone loss and fractures in people with RA.
- Celiac disease: This
condition causes the body to develop an intolerance to gluten, a protein
commonly present in food products such as wheat, rye, and barley. The
immune system attacks and damages the lining of the small intestine. A
person with untreated celiac disease may develop bone disease due to difficulty
absorbing calcium, which is necessary for healthy bones.
Symptoms
Bone
disease symptoms can vary depending on the condition, and some may present no
symptoms at all. For example, osteoporosis is known as a “silent” disease
because there are usually no symptoms until a broken bone occurs.
General
symptoms of bone disease may include:
- bone pain
- fractures from
low impact, low energy activities
- sprains
- infections
- joint pain
- back pain
- weakness
A
person may also have symptoms specific to a type of bone disease. For example,
someone with osteomyelitis
A
person with bone cancer may also experience other symptoms, including weight
loss and fatigue, or may have a lump in the area of the tumor.
Causes and risk factors
A
number of factors can cause bone disease. Some may be specific to a certain
type of bone disease. Causes include:
- Genetics: A person
may have a
higher risk - Aging: As people
age, the mineral content of their bones begins to decrease, resulting in
the bones becoming less dense and more fragile.
- Nutrition: A balanced
diet is essential for healthy, strong bones. In particular, people need to
consume sufficient levels of calcium and vitamin D.
- Problems with
bone remodeling: After age 20, a person may
experience an imbalance where the body breaks down old bone tissue quicker
than it can replace it. This can result in a loss of bone strength and
quality.
- Hormonal
changes: Imbalances of certain hormones may
increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. For example, low estrogen levels
during menopause or low levels of testosterone can
increase a person’s risk of osteoporosis.
- Medications: Certain
medications can increase the risk of bone disease development. For
example, corticosteroids, thyroid medicines, and drugs that reduce levels
of sex hormones can harm bone health.
- Lifestyle
factors: Lifestyle factors including low physical activity
levels, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can predispose a
person to osteoporosis.
Diagnosis
A
person will need to contact a doctor to receive a diagnosis of a bone
condition. The doctor will normally start by taking a person’s medical history.
This may include questions about how long they have been experiencing any
symptoms and whether they have a family history of bone disease.
The
doctor may also carry out a physical examination to check for:
- loss of height
or weight
- change in
posture
- changes in
balance or the way a person walks
- changes in
muscle strength
- any redness or
swelling, such as occurs with osteomyelitis
The
doctor may also order tests to diagnose the type of bone disease a person has,
including:
- X-ray imaging: The most
common type of X-ray imaging a doctor may use is a dual-energy X-ray
absorptiometry scan. This uses a low amount of X-rays to measure the
body’s bone mineral density.
- MRI
scans: This test uses a magnet to create
an image of the body and provides detailed images of bones and other
tissues, including cartilage and ligaments.
- Blood tests: A doctor
may order - Biopsy: A doctor may
take a small amount of bone tissue from the affected area to examine
it under a microscope for an accurate diagnosis.
Treatments
The
most appropriate treatment option will depend on the type of bone disease and
how serious the condition is.
For
example, with osteoporosis and osteopenia, the goal of treatment is to stop
further bone loss and prevent fractures from occurring. Therefore, treatment may
include:
- recommending
nutritional guidance
- making lifestyle
changes such as performing more physical activity and quitting
smoking
- putting measures
in place to reduce the risk of falls to prevent fractures
- prescribing
medication
Some
conditions, such as OI, do not currently have effective treatments. Therefore,
the goal of treatment is to prevent or control symptoms and improve muscle
strength and bone mass. In addition to taking medication, a person with OI may
have physical therapy to improve muscle strength and mobility.
Certain
conditions may require surgical options. For example, a person with
osteonecrosis
People
with bone cancer may also need additional therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation
therapy, depending on how advanced the bone cancer is.
When to contact a doctor
It is
advisable for a person to contact a doctor if they fracture a bone or
experience symptoms such as bone pain. They should also contact a doctor if
they notice a change in their posture, height, weight, or movement when
walking.
This is
important as early detection can prevent the disease from progressing further.
Summary
Bone
diseases refer to conditions that alter the strength or flexibility of bones.
They can result in symptoms such as bone pain, difficulty moving, and a higher
risk of bone fractures. These conditions can have many potential causes, including
aging, genetics, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies. Lifestyle
factors such as low levels of physical activity, smoking, and alcohol
consumption can also increase the risk of bone disease.
A
doctor can perform tests to identify bone diseases. After diagnosis, a doctor
can suggest a suitable treatment plan, which may include medication, lifestyle
changes, and surgery.
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