Bones are curious structures. Stronger than steel, bones at first glance appear to be hard, dead parts of the body. However, bones are living organs, and both contain and produce blood. Also, a bone is only rigid in an adult, when it has become fully calcified. A child's bones are partially calcified and partially cartilage, a substance that shares many properties with plastic.
Adult bones can best be described as a hard network filled in with softer tissue. Imagine a sponge made of concrete. The spaces within the sponge would be filled in with jello. The hard parts of bone are cells called osteocytes, which are made mainly of calcium. Osteocytes are constantly being destroyed and re-created by the body. This happens for a variety of reasons.
One reason for this cycle is that the body reacts to stress on bones by strengthening them. For example athletes such as runners, weightlifters or other sports that create high impact have denser bones than non-athletes. The bone is also denser in strategic places. If the entire bone were at maximum density all the time, bones would be much heavier than they are. Most people don't participate in high impact activities, so their bodies assume they don't need strong bones.
Another reason for the cycle of creation and destruction of osteocytes is that the calcium is used in the body for more than just reinforcing bones. Calcium is absolutely necessary for proper muscle function. Deplete blood calcium enough, and muscle failure will result, initially in the form of massive cramping. Because of the essential nature of certain muscles such as the heart and diaphragm, it is important to ensure that this never happens. The bones act as a sort of reserve of calcium. Compared to the amount of calcium stored in bones, the amount needed by the muscles is very small. However, a continued deficiency will eventually weaken bones to the point of failure.
Compared to the amount of calcium stored in bones, the amount needed by the muscles is very small. However, a continued deficiency will eventually weaken bones to the point of failure.
The ideal method to deal with and prevent bone density loss, known as osteoporosis, is to consume adequate calcium and vitamin D (essential for calcium's absorption), and engage in high impact exercise to promote its deposition in the bones. However, this method is only practical for some people, and is best when used as a preventative measure.
Medication is another option. Fosamax, known as alendronate among medical professionals, is often prescribed to treat osteoporosis. Fosamax works by inhibiting the functions that break bone down and spread it around the body, resulting in a net increase in bone density. However, it is not a silver bullet by any stretch of the imagination. The drug must be taken in an upright position, and water and food must be avoided for 30 minutes after its consumption.
Fosamax has been implicated in a number of medical issues, including fractures of the femur and other bones, osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw, osteomyelitis (bone infection) and esophageal irritation and cancer. It is likely that these problems stem from the fact that Fosamax tends to inhibit the circulation of calcium in bones and therefore the need for circulated blood, and the area simply stagnates.
Adult bones can best be described as a hard network filled in with softer tissue. Imagine a sponge made of concrete. The spaces within the sponge would be filled in with jello. The hard parts of bone are cells called osteocytes, which are made mainly of calcium. Osteocytes are constantly being destroyed and re-created by the body. This happens for a variety of reasons.
One reason for this cycle is that the body reacts to stress on bones by strengthening them. For example athletes such as runners, weightlifters or other sports that create high impact have denser bones than non-athletes. The bone is also denser in strategic places. If the entire bone were at maximum density all the time, bones would be much heavier than they are. Most people don't participate in high impact activities, so their bodies assume they don't need strong bones.
Another reason for the cycle of creation and destruction of osteocytes is that the calcium is used in the body for more than just reinforcing bones. Calcium is absolutely necessary for proper muscle function. Deplete blood calcium enough, and muscle failure will result, initially in the form of massive cramping. Because of the essential nature of certain muscles such as the heart and diaphragm, it is important to ensure that this never happens. The bones act as a sort of reserve of calcium. Compared to the amount of calcium stored in bones, the amount needed by the muscles is very small. However, a continued deficiency will eventually weaken bones to the point of failure.
Compared to the amount of calcium stored in bones, the amount needed by the muscles is very small. However, a continued deficiency will eventually weaken bones to the point of failure.
The ideal method to deal with and prevent bone density loss, known as osteoporosis, is to consume adequate calcium and vitamin D (essential for calcium's absorption), and engage in high impact exercise to promote its deposition in the bones. However, this method is only practical for some people, and is best when used as a preventative measure.
Medication is another option. Fosamax, known as alendronate among medical professionals, is often prescribed to treat osteoporosis. Fosamax works by inhibiting the functions that break bone down and spread it around the body, resulting in a net increase in bone density. However, it is not a silver bullet by any stretch of the imagination. The drug must be taken in an upright position, and water and food must be avoided for 30 minutes after its consumption.
Fosamax has been implicated in a number of medical issues, including fractures of the femur and other bones, osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw, osteomyelitis (bone infection) and esophageal irritation and cancer. It is likely that these problems stem from the fact that Fosamax tends to inhibit the circulation of calcium in bones and therefore the need for circulated blood, and the area simply stagnates.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about fosamax class action lawsuit, then visit Ebenezer R Marley's site on how to choose the best fosamax class action for your needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment