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How did osteoporosis get it's name?
"osteo" refers to bone, and "porous" means full of holes. So
"osteoporosis" is bone that is full of holes. The term has been used for
about 150 years.
I am doing an experiment on bones. I am soaking them in solutions, the one
that got the softest is
in vinegar. I read that the calcium has been taken out of the bone and that
the acid represents disease.
I was wondering what diseases would cause this condition??
The disease that is the most directly related to soaking bones in vinegar
is called "renal tubular acidosis". In this disease, the kidneys are not
able to get rid of the acid (we all get some acid in the foods we eat).
So, to keep the system from accumulating too much acid, some ocid goes to
the bone and dissolves the mineral out of the bone. The calcium from the
bones will neutralize the acid. But the patients are left with weaker
bones.
The osteoclasts are the cells that dissolve the bones. You can read more
about them in the section called "all about bones". These cells work by
attaching to the bone and then squirting acid into the bone. So any
disease that causes increased activity of the osteoclasts also results in
some weakness of the bones that involves acid. Examples include
osteoporosis and multiple myeloma.
What sports and excercises are good for a thin, very active 10 year old boy?
We know that exercise in general is good for 10-year-olds. The specific
kinds of exercise that are good for the bones are not completely worked
out yet. Jumping kinds of activities are good, walking and running are
also good for the hips. Bike riding and swimming are great for the heart
but not so effective for the bones. Kids who are very active are probably
getting good exercise naturally.
I
I was wondering how young of an age could you see
osteoporosis occuring in someone?
It is possible to have osteoporosis even as a baby.
What is osteoporosis? Please give an undertandable explanation.
Osteoporosis is a bone disease which is very common in elderly men and
women. The long bones in the arms and legs become thinner, and the spongy
bones in the spine and near the joints become more porous (get holes).
This makes the bone density lower, the bones are weaker and more likely to
get broken.
What are the different symtoms of osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis does not have symptoms until there are fractures (broken
bones). These are painful, and fractures of the spine can cause people to
get shorter.
What is the youngest and oldest patients who have Osteoporosis?
The most common type of osteoporosis happens in women older than 65, but
some forms of osteoporosis can be seen in babies. There are no age
limits.
What are the Newest treatments Available [for osteoorosis]?
The newest treatments (not necessarily the best) are risedronate (Actonel)
and raloxifene (Evista). PTH (parathyroid) is an experimental medicine
that is most likely to be the next newly available treatment.
Updated 9/16/01