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Osteoporosis in old age (senile) – peculiarities of development, diagnosis and treatment

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreasing bone density that leads to reduced bone strength, thereby increasing the risk of fracture.

In bone tissue contains a large percentage of minerals, mainly phosphorus and calcium. They provide the strength and hardness of the skeleton.

senile osteoporosis

To make throughout life the bones remain dense and solid, the body should receive the necessary amount of mineral elements, in addition, the glands should produce enough of certain hormones (parahormone, calcitonin, testosterone in men and estrogen in women). Also for proper absorption of calcium need vitamin D.

In the period of maturity (30-35 years), the strength of the bone tissue reaches a point of climax. Further there is the gradual rarefaction of the bones. In old age the human skeleton consists of more brittle bones and is characteristic of senile osteoporosis.

Symptoms of disease

The disease begins to manifest itself in the later stages, as the bone thins gradually, without causing the person discomfort or any pain. Some people even in case of advanced osteoporosis do not feel its symptoms.

Pain in senile osteoporosis appears only when due to excessive thinning of bone tissue deformation or bone fracture.

Constant lumbar pain may be accompanied by a person in old age in the case of compression fracture of the vertebra, and the affected by osteoporosis, the vertebrae may be deformed due to minor injuries or even without any reason. At such moments, the patient may feel back pain that is worse when walking or standing.

In the case of compression fracture of multiple vertebrae simultaneously possible curvature of the spine, inducing muscle spasm and pain.

The Fractures in other parts of the body are often associated with the decline or the increase in physical activity. One of the most difficult injuries – fracture of the femoral neck, which can lead to a wheelchair in old age.

Often occur in people over the age of fractures of the radial or ulnar bones, most often in the wiring from the wrist with the forearm. This injury is more commonly known as fracture of COLLES. In people with osteoporosis, healing bone is very long.

Main reasons