Georgia College 4 2

Secretions: There are only two key secretions important for bone health.
- Acid: Secretions include acid that can destroy the bone matrix.
- Impact of Acid: It primarily affects collagen, which is vital for bone strength.

Bone Loss: The destruction of the collagen leads to fragile bones that break easily.
- This condition is known as osteoporosis.
- It results in a decrease in bone mass or density.

Most affected group: Older women, particularly post-menopause, especially white females.
Common Symptoms: One prominent consequence of bone loss is kyphosis (a condition characterized by an exaggerated thoracic curve of the spine).

Compression Fractures: Result from the weight of the body compressing the vertebrae. Healthy individuals generally do not experience these as they have adequate bone density.
Osteopathy: When a condition like osteoporosis exists, it significantly increases the risk of fractures from normal activities.
- Pathological Fracture: This type of fracture occurs in bones that are already weakened by underlying diseases.
- Example: If a person has bone cancer, normal activities (like bumping into a table) could lead to fractures.

Pathological Fracture: Caused by underlying conditions that compromise the integrity of the bone.
Regular Fracture: Occurs in normal, healthy bone under regular stress or trauma.

Treatment Options: Hormonal therapy (e.g., estrogen therapy) was once used to inhibit bone resorption but carries risks such as increased chances of certain cancers.
Current Approaches: Supportive treatments and parathyroid hormone derivative treatments.

DEXA Scan: A test used to diagnose osteoporosis by measuring bone mass or density.
- DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry.
The primary goal of treatment is not to cure osteoporosis but rather to slow down bone loss.

Bone Strength Promotion: Important to build strong bones early in life to minimize loss as one ages.
Accumulating more bone density at a younger age helps to sustain bone health in older age.