Common Bone Diseases

Bones are an important part of the body's makeup, allowing us to move, giving our bodies shape and protecting our organs. When disease enters the bones, it may cause debilitating symptoms that often make everyday life a challenge. While there are a variety of bone diseases affecting humans, three of the most common are osteoporosis, Paget's disease and osteogenesis imperfecta.

Types

• Osteoporosis is a bone disease that forms when the bone mass is low and the bone tissue begins to deteriorate. Essentially, bones become brittle and break more easily. Even the most minor fall or bump can cause the bone to break. The Mayo Clinic notes that osteoporosis occurs in women four times more often than in men, although men can still get this disease.
  Paget's disease is another common bone disease that occurs when the process of breaking down and rebuilding bones is disturbed. As a result of this disturbance, the newly-formed bone becomes brittle, fragile and deformed over time, making it more prone to breaking.
  Osteogenesis imperfecta is also quite common in the realm of bone diseases. This is an inherited disorder of the bones that presents itself during conception. Also known as brittle bone disease, osteogenesis imperfecta is the result of an insufficient amount or incorrectly shaped bone collagen, which is the protein in the bones that ensure they are strong. This makes the bones unusually delicate and more susceptible to breakage.

RIsk Factors

• Smoking, excessive alcohol use, vitamin D and calcium deficiencies, small and thin body frame, and family history of the disease are all risk factors for osteoporosis. Furthermore, Asians, Hispanics and whites are more prone to developing osteoporosis, and women will acquire the disease four times more often than men. Other risk factors include low sex hormone levels, too much thyroid hormone in the body, people who suffer from an eating disorder, and those over the age of 50. There are far fewer risk factors associated with developing Paget's disease. Men are more likely to get this disease as opposed to women, as are people over the age of 40. This disease is occasionally heredity as well. Osteogenesis imperfecta risk factors are even fewer, as heredity is the only known cause. The child of someone suffering from this disease has a 50 percent chance of developing it as well.

Symptoms

• A person suffering from osteoporosis may not even know he has the disease until he actually breaks a bone. You may notice back pain, reduction in height or spinal deformities; however, you cannot actually feel your bones weakening so there may be no symptoms at all. The same goes for Paget's disease. Oftentimes, no symptoms will be present. If symptoms do appear, you may notice severe pain in the affected bones, stiffness, swelling, skin that is warm to the touch in the affected area, and bowlegs. Additional symptoms of Paget's disease include neurological impairments such as hearing and vision loss, and headaches. Unlike osteoporosis and Paget's disease, the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta may be present much earlier in life, beginning in childhood and continuing through puberty and into adulthood. According to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, pain in the bones, petite height, vision and hearing loss, brittle teeth, and spinal curvatures are some of the symptoms generally associated with this disease. It is important to note that the symptoms of all three of these bone disorders can resemble the symptoms associated with other medical disorders, so it is important to get properly diagnosed by a medical professional.

Treatment

• None of these common bone diseases can be cured, but there are treatment options available to help prevent further damage and to manage the symptoms. For osteoporosis sufferers, there are a variety of prescription medications available to promote new bone growth, produce necessary hormones in the body, slow bone loss, and increase bone density. In addition, some doctors recommend a specialized physical therapy regimen to help ease the pain associated with this disease and to develop posture. Paget's disease may require no treatment if no symptoms are present, however if the disease presents itself in a high-risk part of the body such as the spine, treatment may be necessary. Prescription medications to increase bone density, slow the progression of the disease, and to restore some of the bone to its normal state may be administered. The goal in treating osteogenesis imperfecta is to preserve the bone mass and manage the symptoms. Certain medications can assist in pain management and bone preservation, as well as an exercise regimen to build muscle and strength. In extreme cases, rodding surgery to insert metal rods through the bone to build strength may be necessary.

Prevention

• Preventing osteoporosis should begin earlier rather than later in life, as your body stops building bone mass sometime in your 30s. Ample vitamin D and calcium are essential in maintaining strong bones, and weight-bearing exercises will increase your bone mass. Refraining from smoking and from consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine, and adding soy to your diet are additional ways to decrease your chances of developing osteoporosis. On the other hand, there are no known methods of preventing Paget's disease or osteogenesis imperfecta, but it is recommended that you get a sufficient amount of vitamin D and calcium to maintain bone strength to help manage these diseases.

Warning

• It is important to get properly diagnosed by a medical professional if you feel that you may have a disease of the bone. Early intervention can help to preserve bone mass and maintain as much strength as possible in the bones. Additionally, the symptoms outlined above are quite common in other medical diseases and disorders, so be sure to seek medical attention if you are exhibiting these symptoms.