Bone Diseases

The primary constituents of bone, which is a living, developing tissue, are collagen and calcium. The skeleton, or hard framework made of bones, supports and shields the body's soft organs. The body has two different kinds of bones. The outer layer of bones is made up of dense, compact cortical bones. The interior layer of bones is made up of spongy, honeycomb-shaped trabecular or cancellous bones. The bones enable movement and support the body in addition to shielding the organs from harm. Furthermore, bones serve as a storehouse for nutrients like calcium. A person's bone strength and flexibility may be impacted by an illness or condition. Numerous factors, such as genetics, environment, food, and infections, might contribute to these diseases. A disorder called osteoporosis causes a loss of mineral density and bone mass. There may also be changes to the bone's composition and quality. Osteoporosis can weaken bones and raise the possibility of fractures. When bone mineral density declines below normal but not to the point where a physician can diagnose osteoporosis, the condition is referred to as osteopenia. An unusual kind of cancer called bone cancer develops when cells inside a bone begin to proliferate uncontrollably. Any bone cell has the potential to become cancerous. Cancers that originate in the bone are known as primary bone cancers. Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are the two most prevalent forms of primary bone malignancies. Additionally, cancer cells from other parts of the body might go to the bone. Doctors refer to them as bone metastases. The spine is the most often affected site by bone metastases. Rickets is a pediatric bone disorder comparable to osteomalacia, however it occurs due to incomplete mineralization. It usually stems from a vitamin D shortage and causes soft, fragile bones. The body cannot metabolize calcium and phosphorous, which are necessary for healthy bone growth and development, without enough vitamin D. A deficit of vitamin D can be brought on by malabsorption, insufficient sun exposure, or poor nutrition.