IntroductionThe human skeleton is made up of approximately 206 bones. The axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton together constitute the adult skeleton. Bones are active tissues that are continually destroyed and rebuilt. Bones have an enormous variety and therefore have more than one function. They provide structural support to the body, cover and protect organs such as the heart and lungs, and allow us to move. Bones are made up predominantly of collagen which is a protein. Bone metabolism is a continuous natural process of bone growth and resorption, vital for repair, growth and maintenance. This complex process is carried out by osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoclasts break down bone tissue and absorb it while osteoblasts have the task of building new bone tissue. Imbalances in resorption and growth activity can weaken bones leading to diseases such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens bones and makes them more vulnerable to breaking. This essay will explain in detail what is bone metabolism, osteoporosis, its diagnosis and the risk factors involved in it. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Bone metabolism is a lifelong process in which the synthesis and destruction of tissue gives bone its mature structure. Ossification is known as the synthesis of bone tissue while bone resorption is the destruction of bone tissue. After injuries, bone metabolism can also replace and change the shape of bones. Osteoblasts are large cells with a single nucleus responsible for bone synthesis and mineralization during initial bone formation and subsequent bone remodeling. Osteoblasts develop into a compact layer on the outside of the bone, from which cellular processes extend across the developing bone (Osteoblast, 2018). They must be in groups of connected cells to function, and individual osteoblast cells cannot form a fully developed bone. An osteon is a collection of osteoblasts that work together in the bone. Specialized and permanently differentiated mesenchymal stem cells form osteoblasts. The enzymes alkaline phosphate and collagenase, growth factors, hormones such as osteocalcin, and the collagen that forms the bone matrix are produced by osteoblasts. Eventually the osteoblast becomes encased by the growing bone matrix and as the material calcifies, the cell becomes surrounded in a space called a lacuna forming an osteocyte (Osteoblast, 2018). Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that destroy bone tissue. Bone is continually destroyed in response to microdamage and the body's demand for calcium. Osteoclasts are found in a small depression on the outside of the bone called Howship's lacuna. The gaps are caused by erosion of the bone by osteoclast enzymes. The combination of many monocyte cells in the blood helps to form osteoclasts. The microvilli extend onto the surface of the bone closest to the side of the cell. Osteoclasts form several enzymes including acid phosphatase that dissolves both organic collagen and inorganic calcium and phosphorus in bone. Digestion of fragmented mineralized bone using cytoplasmic vacuoles occurs when the osteoclast phagocytoses the fragments. Calcium and phosphorus are released into the bloodstream after mineralized bone breaks down. Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder that occurs when the correct functioning of bone remodeling is compromised. Typically, bone density increases until the age of 20years, when the bones are stronger and healthier. After adult life, bone density begins to slowly decrease over time. However, in some individuals this happens more rapidly than in the rest of the population, which leads to osteoporosis. This disease, in fact, sees the loss of the mineral and osteoid components of the bone mass, caused by a much more significant reabsorption compared to the appositive phase. In other words, this is because osteoblasts do not function as efficiently as osteoclasts within the BMU, which results in either producing too little bone or losing too much bone mass, or both. (National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2019). Ultimately, this leads to a reduction in bone matrix due to reduced osteoblastic activity and increased osteoclast activity. Furthermore, the disease causes microarchitectural alterations of the bone, where the difference between healthy bone tissue and that affected by osteoporosis is highlighted. Here, on the left, you see compact tissue with small perforations, in contrast to the much larger holes presented in the photo on the right. In fact, the noun osteoporosis comes from ancient Greek where the noun pori translates to an orifice or opening (www.dictionary.com, 2019). Therefore, bone density decreases and bones become more fragile, increasing the risk of fractures and breaks due to small impacts. Other symptoms include a hunched posture or progressive loss of height caused by vertebral crush fractures that can lead to breathing difficulties and back pain. The disease is classified into primary osteoporosis (Type I) and secondary osteoporosis (Type II). Type I is associated solely with the aging process, such as hormonal changes within the body as one gets older. On the other hand, type II is caused by pre-existing medical conditions or medications that can lead to abnormalities in bone reformation. Some of the diseases associated with osteoporosis are some endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional disorders, hematological disorders, kidney disorders and some autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, drugs that can lead to osteoporosis include hormones and drugs with an action on the endocrine system, drugs with an action on the central nervous system, drugs with an action on the immune system, anticoagulants; heparin, diuretics: loop diuretics, drugs with action on the gastrointestinal tract (Mirza and Canalis, 2015). The most common way to determine whether a patient has the disease is to perform a quick, noninvasive DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan. This measures bone mineral density (BMD) through a small dose of ionizing radiation producing an image of the inside of the body. The results are then provided in the form of two scores, the Z-score and the T-score. The latter compares the patient's bone mass to that of a young adult of the same sex who has peak bone mass. This comparison is made in the form of a number by which a score of -1.0 or higher is considered healthy. On the contrary, values ​​lower than -1.1-2.4 define the initial stage of osteoporosis called osteopenia. Finally, a score of -2.5 or less represents osteoporosis. On the other hand, the Z-score is a number that compares a person's bone mass to that of people in the same age range and of the same sex and size. In this case, if the score is significantly higher or lower, it could imply the presence of a condition such as osteoporosis, thus the need for further testing. Treatments for osteoporosis include vitamin D and calcium, weight-bearing exercises, and medications such as bisphosphonates. It is important to consume a quantity.