Bone is living, growing tissue made of collagen and calcium that fuse together to make bone flexible and strong. Bones enable movement, provide support, and protect your vital organs. A number of diseases and conditions can debilitate your bones and cause them to weaken over time, making them more susceptible to breakage or injury.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Osteogenesis imperfecta is described by Medline Plus as a genetic disease that causes your bones to break easily. It also may cause muscles to become weak, lead to delicate teeth as well as an irregular or curved spine, and cause hearing impairment. Osteogenesis imperfecta is caused by a gene flaw that affects how your body makes collagen–a protein that gives bones their strength. Typically people inherit the defective gene from one parent. In some cases, the presence of the defective gene is due to a mutation–a random gene change. According to Medline Plus, currently there is not a cure, but you can deal with its symptoms. Treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta includes exercise, taking pain relievers, physical therapy, using wheelchairs, braces or surgery.
Paget’s Disease of Bone
Paget’s disease of bone is another bone disorder that is characterized by the presence of fragile or misshapen bones. Paget’s disease of bone is an illness that affects how the bones in your body break down and rebuild. For many, a healthy bone metabolism creates an environment for old bone to be reused and replaced by new bone throughout life. In Paget’s disease the interval at which old bone is broken down and new bone is made is imprecise. As time goes by, this distorted rate of rebuilding bones can leave them misshapen and weak. Symptoms of Paget’s disease include aching bones, osteoarthritis or compression of the spinal cord due to enlarged bones. Other signs may include warmth of the skin near or on the affected area, neurological problems such as vision or hearing impairment, and bone deformities. According to an article on Paget’s disease by the Mayo Clinic, treatment with medication may be recommended by your doctor when you begin to experience pain. Surgical treatment may be recommended to repair damage done by the disease or when your heart becomes overworked due to spreading of the disease.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that causes your bones to become progressively weaker and brittle. In many cases, your bones weaken more quickly if you have low levels of calcium and other minerals in your bones, according to an article on osteoporosis by the Mayo Clinic. Bone fractures are common complications related to osteoporosis. Most of these fractures occur in the hip, spine or wrist. Osteoporosis can affect both men and women. People who already have low bone density may be at greater risk for developing osteoporosis than those with normal bone density. Some symptoms of osteoporosis include back pain, a gradual loss of height, and a curved spine. Treatment for osteoporosis may include physical therapy, exercise, medications to lessen pain-related symptoms and hormone therapy to stimulate stronger bone growth.
About this Author
Antonius Ortega is a 13-year veteran of the fitness industry and an athletic trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. His articles on fitness, health and travel have appeared in newspapers such as the “The Hornet,” “The Daily Bruin,” and “Stars and Stripes.” Ortega trains in Orange County.
