Osteoporosis

If you'd like to see more scientifically accurate 3D medical images, subscribe to our channel:    / nucleushealthvideose   MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The skeleton is made up of bones that provide support and shape to the body. These protect soft internal organs, such as the brain and heart, from injury. Along with muscles, strong bones allow the body to move freely. Bones have a hard outer surface called compact bone. The inner bone is called spongy bone because it is less dense than compact bone and has many small holes, like a sponge. Bones contain cells called osteoclasts that break down bone tissue. Other cells, called osteoblasts, build new bone tissue using minerals such as calcium and phosphate from the blood. Hormones—such as estrogen, growth hormone, and testosterone—help keep the number of osteoblasts and their activity at higher rates than osteoclasts, so that more bone is built than is broken down. Physical forces and pressure during exercise also help bones become stronger and denser. These processes allow bones to grow strong in children and young adults. People have their strongest and densest bones, called peak bone mass, in their 30s. After this age, osteoclasts gradually remove more bone than osteoblasts build. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, causing them to break more easily. Healthy bone is dense enough to support and protect the body and to handle the stresses of movement and minor injuries. However, people with osteoporosis have abnormally thin bones with larger holes in the spongy bone. There are two types of osteoporosis: primary osteoporosis, usually related to older age and reduced estrogen levels in women; and secondary osteoporosis, which affects children and adults. It is related to other diseases or conditions, such as cancer, hormonal problems, or the use of certain medications. A person is at higher risk of developing osteoporosis if they do not build enough bone mass during their growth, from childhood through adulthood. Risk factors that can lead to low peak bone mass include a family history of osteoporosis, being white or Asian, being female, poor diet, certain medications such as steroids or certain seizure medications, lack of physical activity, weightlifting exercises, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. A person is at higher risk of developing osteoporosis if they experience an abnormal amount of bone loss after age 30. Some bone loss is normal after this age. However, a person with the same risk factors for low peak bone mass may be more likely to develop osteoporosis as they age. Increased bone loss is also common in women after their last menstrual period, called menopause. After menopause, a woman's ovaries stop producing the hormone estrogen. With declining hormone levels, the cells that break down bone, called osteoclasts, are more active than the cells that build bone, called osteoblasts. Bones may break or fracture easily because they are unable to withstand the physical stress and pressure of even normal activities. Common fracture sites in people with osteoporosis include the wrists, spine, and hips. Building strong, healthy bones through a diet rich in calcium and vitamins and regular physical activity can help prevent and treat osteoporosis. Common medications for osteoporosis include bisphosphonates, a drug called denosumab, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and calcitonin. These medications generally act on bone-removing cells called osteoclasts. Parathyroid hormone acts on bone-removing cells called osteoblasts. Calcium and vitamin D supplements and other elements are also recommended for osteoporosis. For more information, consult a healthcare professional. ANH14139es