An Overview of Bone Disorders

It is quite common for a layman to think that human bones are just a lifeless formation of hard materials that have a singular role in supporting our bodies. In reality, bones are quite complex. They are a living tissue that keeps disintegrating and replenishing as long as the person is alive. The purpose of our bones is to give animal bodies their distinct shapes. Depending upon the species and its evolution, they can provide a variety of special abilities that provide certain advantages. The next role that bones play is to support the body. Without the bone structure and support, all the animals reduce to a pile of flesh and organs. We also need to move in order to carry out our tasks. Our bones help us overcome the pull of gravity and walk, run or move effortlessly. When we are young, new bones grow quite fast and the existing ones deteriorate at a slower pace. As we grow old, the generation of new bones becomes slower and slower. Then, you can lose bones much faster than you can replenish.

Various Bone Disorders:

The bone disorder is an umbrella term that can be used to describe all the diseases or conditions which are related to the bone. These diseases or conditions can be caused by heredity, environmental factors, improper diet, bad habits, etc.

Bone cancer: As per medical history, bone cancers are extremely rare. Adults are susceptible to certain types of bone cancers and the children are to others. Other types of cancers can also spread to the bones. However, the term bone cancer is used to refer to only those cancers that primarily affect bones. Types of bone cancer include Chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and Osteosarcoma. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, fatigue, sudden weight loss, and constant fractures. Similar to other types of cancers, bone cancer can also be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and removal of the cancerous tissue with surgery.

Osteomalacia: Osteomalacia is a condition where bones in the body do not get a sufficient supply of calcium. This condition arises because of a severe deficiency of vitamin D. Especially in sunlight; our bodies naturally synthesize vitamin D. This vitamin is needed for the absorption of calcium derived from food sources into the blood. When the osteomalacia patients don’t get the required calcium, they lose the integrity of their bones. These patients may face symptom including muscle pain, bone aching, and fractures. In the early stages, the osteomalacia patient mostly does not feel any symptoms.

Paget’s disease of bone: In this disease, abnormal growth or reshaping of the bone is seen. The bones may look bigger but they lack the strength. Usually, this disease only affects one bone in the body. The effects of this disease are easily spotted under the X-ray. The patients feel pain in the bone. In some cases, they may also feel severe pain from the pressure exerted by the abnormal growth on a nerve. The cause of Paget’s disease is still unknown according to medical research.

Osteoporosis: As mentioned above, the bone tissue has a complex structure. The outer layer is made up of tough material, and the inner part is soft and spongy tissue. In osteoporosis, either of these parts can get affected. This results in spectacularly weak bones and frequent fractures in bones. When detected early, medicinal treatments can stop the spread of this disease and strengthen your bones. Increment in the intake of calcium and minerals, as well as regular exercise, can aid in the healing as well. The medicines used to treat osteoporosis fall under the bisphosphonate category. These medications are usually taken for years to treat this condition.