Osteoporosis - A disease (also) of young people

kathepmg (36)in #steemstem • 7 years ago

Hello friends of Steemit! Did you know that osteoporosis affects not only older people but also young people?

What is it Osteoporosis:

It is a skeletal disease in which there is a decrease in mass density. Thus, the bones become more porous, increases the number and size of the cavities or cells that exist inside, are more fragile, resist the blows worse and break more easily.

However, osteoporosis can affect both men and young people and can be caused by other factors such as low calcium diet, prolonged use of steroids or thyroid disorders.

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Causes of osteoporosis in young people:

Half of young people with osteoporosis suffer secondary osteoporosis. This is the name for osteoporosis that is created as a result of other diseases or the use of medications such as corticosteroids or others used in autoimmune diseases.

On the other hand, the other half of young people with osteoporosis have idiopathic osteoporosis. This name is used when the reason for this disease is unknown.

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According to numerous studies, although genetic factors play an important role, environmental factors can also be determinants in this disease.

In this way, the practice of physical exercise that involves mechanical loading, especially when performed at an early age, increases the mass that has a long-term effect. In addition, exercise produces positive structural changes in the geometry of the bones that condition an increase in cortical thickness with the rapid increase in bone resistance to fracture.

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Other processes that have also been implicated in the development of osteoporosis in young people are:

intestinal malabsorption (for example, celiac disease)
endocrine diseases (hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, hypopituitarism)
anorexia nervosa
Rheumatoid arthritis
Other medications such as anticonvulsants, heparin and some anovulators.
HIV infection

Symptoms of Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis may be present without symptoms for decades, until painful bone fractures occur.

The symptoms that can occur when the disease is advanced are:

Deformities of the spine, a hunched back.
Pain in the neck due to fractures of the bones of the spine.
Muscle pain.
Weakness of bones and fractures.
Weight loss and height.

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Treatment:

They should include a lifestyle that implies physical exercise and an adequate intake of calcium, in addition to avoiding the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. In summary, osteoporosis in young people is difficult to detect and explain, but it is easy to prevent and treat healthy habits, diets rich in calcium and vitamin D.