Outsourcing

Case Study Osteoporosis

Individual Brainstorming:

What if I don’t like milk?

Are there any lifestyle factors that contribute to osteoporosis?

What can cause osteoporosis?

Can it be reversed?

Marissa:

1. Bone remodeling involves the removal of mineralized bone by osteoclasts followed by the formation of bone matrix through the osteoblasts that subsequently become mineralized. Bone remodeling serves to adjust bone architecture to meet changing mechanical needs and it helps to repair microdamages in bone matrix preventing the accumulation of old bone.

2. Calcium is a mineral that is important for making healthy bones. Calcium cannot be made by the body. The body gets the calcium it needs through the food you eat. If you do not get enough calcium in your diet or if your body does not absorb enough calcium from your diet, bones can weaken or not grow properly.

3. Through the Parathyroid hormone, and Calcitonin. Calcitonin acts to reduce blood calcium, while parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium.

4. In osteoporosis, the osteoclasts are breaking down bone faster than the osteoblasts are building it up - which results in bone porosity and they begin to look like sponge on a microscopic level which results in increased risk of fractures from stress and trauma.

5. From family histories, twin studies, and molecular genetics, it is quite evident now that some of the predisposition for osteoporosis can be inherited. Genetic control of osteoporosis is polygenic; the specific genes involved are beginning to be enumerated.

6. Gender, age, race, family history, frame size, sex hormones, thyroid problems, low calcium intake, eating disorders, GI surgery, long-term use of steroids, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

7. There are typically no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss but signs and symptoms may include: back pain caused by fractured or collapsed vertebrae, loss of height over time, a...