Osteoperosis Case Study

Dylan Milette

C-Block

Osteoporosis Case Study

1. Osteoporosis is the reduction of bone mass due to a decrease of calcium and bone proteins that cases the bones to become weaker and more brittle. They become more susceptible to fracture and take much longer to heal when damaged. This can cause pain and decrease mobility in people.

2. Women are at a higher risk than men. Asian and white people are the races at the highest risk. Risk of osteoporosis increases as one gets older. Having a family history of osteoporosis can also increase one’s risk. People with low calcium intake or people that use tobacco or alcoholic products are at higher risk. Working out can decrease one’s chances of osteoporosis. The excess or lack of certain hormones can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, such as a lack of estrogen in women at menopause, or the excess of thyroid hormone, which can cause bone loss.

3. Osteoblasts makes bone matrix which increases bone mass, while osteoclasts break down bone matrix and recycle the resulting calcium back into the blood. Osteoblasts are derived from mesenchymal stem cells, and osteoclasts are derived from stem cells in the bone marrow.

4. Estrogen aids in the absorption of calcium from the digestive system. Increasing blood calcium levels, and allowing it to get to the bone. Calcitonin decreases blood calcium levels by inhibiting the absorption of calcium into the blood stream and the activity of osteoclasts. It also increases osteoblast activity, which increase calcium levels in the bones. PTH acts against calcitonin by promoting the absorption of calcium into the blood stream, and increasing osteoclast activity, while decreasing osteoblast activity. The integumentary system absorbs vitamin D which is essential for the absorption of calcium from the digestive system into the blood stream. This would increase blood calcium levels, which would promote the production of calcitonin.

5. Peak bone mass the amount of...