The human body is made up of more than 200 bones, hundreds of supporting joints, and thousands of soft tissues. All of these structures are susceptible to numerous bone disorders. Some can only be partially avoided due to genetics, while others can be avoided by paying attention to factors like eating and exercise routines.
Bone diseases, a large category of medical conditions, impact the development and durability of your bones. Numerous factors, such as your genes, environmental factors, and diet can cause these illnesses. Recognizing the symptoms of a bone condition is half the battle, even if not all bone disorders are preventable.
Specialty Care Clinics have compiled six prevalent bone-related illnesses that you should be aware of. Without further ado, the following are the six most prevalent bone diseases :
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the most prevalent type of bone illness in the US, affecting 54 million Americans, and is defined by rapid bone loss that happens more quickly than bone growth or regeneration. Our body replaces damaged, deteriorated bone with stronger, more resilient bone during remodeling. Our bones can continue to be healthy and robust in this way.
Naturally, porous bones are more prone to breaking. A delicate bone might break from bumping against an end table, twisting incorrectly, or even sneezing.
Osteoporosis raises the risk of broken bones and fractured joints and is more likely to afflict women after menopause and older adults, especially those who are 70 years old or older.
The illness may also contribute to problems with :
- Vertebral collapse
- A gradual loss of height over time causes issues with posture as the position of the spine is compromised
- A joint fracture that occurs more frequently
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA), which affects 27 million Americans, develops when the effects of normal wear and tear start to degrade your joints. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage, a connective bone structure, to deteriorate too quickly. Cartilage acts as a slick barrier between your bones in a healthy joint. This causes joints to experience increased wear and tear, which can cause inflammation, nerve irritation, and radiating nerve pain (symptoms felt elsewhere), including numbness and tingling.
The bones and joints can also be significantly affected by increased friction when cartilage wears away, which can lead to problems with :
- Bone ailment
- Bone growths
- Broken joints
- Problems with the intervertebral disc, like herniation
Paget’s Bone Disease
A Symptom of Osteoporosis, the most prevalent bone disease is Paget’s. It would rank as the second most prevalent bone illness in the United States, just behind OA (which primarily affects the joints).
Paget’s Disease of Bone develops when the bone remodeling process goes wrong, just like osteoporosis. The process of bone regrowth in Paget’s disease, in contrast to osteoporosis, starts to outpace the cycle of bone loss which may raise the risk of nerve irritation and fractures due to an increase in the weight and size of bones. Major bone problems might develop because the bone tissue the body produces in Paget’s Disease is of inferior quality. The skull, legs, and pelvis bones could potentially be impacted.
Paget’s disease may also contribute to :
- Increased bone stress, osteoarthritis
- Bone anomalies
- Less than 1 percent of Paget’s patients develop bone cancer
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is the “Soft” Bone Disease. When the bones do not get enough vitamin D from our meals or sunlight, two of the most crucial minerals for maintaining strong bones, osteomalacia typically develops. However, osteomalacia still affects 4% of elderly people. Our bodies can sometimes have trouble absorbing enough nutrients, due to conditions like Celiac disease. When this happens, our bones may soften and bow when we bear down on them.
This condition is also referred to as rickets in children and teenagers, softened bones can lead to bowing during the growth years. Adults with osteomalacia could fracture more easily.
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), the “Brittle” Bone Disease, a collection of eight extremely rare genetic abnormalities, can readily lead to fractures, frequently with no apparent cause. OI patients often have a gene abnormality that affects how the body makes collagen. (Collagen, a type of connective tissue, makes up 90% of the fibers that make up the bone matrix and hold your bones together.)
Some types of OI can be lethal at delivery due to respiratory issues. The mildest form of OI, which is the most prevalent variety, may lead to :
- Weak muscles and loose joints
- Risks of aberrant spinal curvature are higher
- Vulnerability to fractures, particularly before puberty
Multiple Myeloma: Plasma Cell cancer
Bacteria and viruses that are foreign invaders are dealt with by white blood cells. Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects your white blood cells and results in the accumulation of abnormal cells in your bone marrow. As these cells grow, they have the potential to penetrate the actual bone tissue and develop spinal tumors. Due to its proximity to organs where tumors can first develop, like the lungs and kidneys, the backbone is also a frequent site for secondary tumors. The following are signs of plasma cell cancer :
- Compromised bones
- General weariness
- Anemia
- An increased case of infection
Are you concerned that you may have a bone illness? conditions that impair the integrity and structure of your bones. Get in touch with Specialty Care Clinics immediately for trustworthy medical guidance!
Contact us at (469) 545-9983 to schedule your appointment.