Osteoporosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, risk factors, symptoms, nutritional requirements, and management options for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis

A serious skeletal disease meaning "porous bones," in which bones become porous, brittle, and easily fractured due to an excessive loss of proteins and minerals, especially calcium, occurring when bone breakdown outpaces rebuilding.

"Silent disease"

An alternate name for osteoporosis, given because the condition produces no visible symptoms or warning signs before a fracture occurs.

Primary fracture sites

The skeletal regions where osteoporosis usually occurs, specifically the hips, wrist, and spine.

Age $30$ bone turnover threshold

The age milestone up to which the body rebuilds bone tissue faster than it breaks down, after which ($30+$) bone tissue breakdown occurs faster than rebuilding.

Estrogen deficiency in post-menopausal women

A major risk factor for osteoporosis caused by a drop in estrogen levels, a hormone that normally prevents bone loss; combined with women's lower baseline bone mass, this accelerates bone loss.

Osteoporosis symptoms

Clinical indications occurring after the asymptomatic early stages, including back pain from cracked or broken vertebrae, loss in height, bent posture, and bones fracturing easily.

Hyperactive thyroid

An endocrine condition identified as a cause of increased osteoporosis risk that influences bone strength.

Calcium

A primary mineral necessary for bone density and strength, sourced from dairy products, green leafy vegetables, canned fish with bones, and nuts.

Vitamin D

An essential nutrient that promotes the absorption of calcium; sourced from oily fish, egg yolk, full cream milk, and margarine.

Vitamin C

A vitamin required for natural collagen formation, sourced from fresh fruit and vegetables, and included in multi-vitamin supplements to support a calcium-poor diet.

Phosphorus

A dietary mineral that promotes the absorption of calcium in the digestive tract.

Fluoride

A mineral absorbed by bone minerals to strengthen bones, commonly ingested via fluorinated water.

Weight-bearing exercises

A recommended physical activity intervention used for the effective prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy

A medical intervention recommended for managing osteoporosis by helping counteract hormone-related bone loss.