Topic 5- Age Related Health Issues Flashcards
Describe the structure of bone.
It consists of a matrix of calcium salts within a network of collagen fibres and cells, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which lie between the spaces that occur in the matrix.
What are the four main functions of bone?
- Protection- bone provides protection to the delicate internal organs and tissues of the body
- Acting as a lever- bone serves as a lever to allow movement of the arms and legs across the joints using muscular contraction
- Storage for calcium- bone is the main storage area for minerals
- Contains bone marrow- within the hollow cavities of the long bones lies the blood-forming bone marrow.
What are the two different types of bone? Briefly describe each.
Bone exists in two forms; compact and cancellous bone. Compact bone is dense and strong and forms the outer part of most bones. Beneath the compact bone is cancellous (spongy) bone, which consists of a network of fibres called trabeculae that are rearranged to resist the stresses to which the bone is exposed.
What are the two main ways that bone develops?
- Membranous ossification where bone develops from fibrous tissue e.g. bones of the skull and face
- Cartilaginous ossification where bone replaces a cartilage model e.g. the long bones of the body
Why is calcium important for healthy bone development?
Calcium is an important component of the solid structure of bone. Calcium is obtained from the diet. An adequate intake of calcium ensures the development of strong bones and reduces the risk of fractures in later life. It is also important that a good calcium intake is maintained throughout life to ensure healthy bones.
Which factors decrease the amount of calcuim absorbed in the body?
- Smoking
- High intake of alcohol
- Salt
- Caffeine
Why are nutrients important for healthy bone development?
Bones also need other nutrients to keep healthy. The body needs vitamin D to move calcium from the intestine to the bloodstream and into bone
Why is physical stress important for healthy bone development?
Stress is not always a bad thing for bones. The improvement of bone strength and the stimulation of bone development occur as a consequence of muscle pull and weight-bearing activities. Even a short period of inactivity will result in loss of bone struture on a microscopic scale.
Why is the female sex hormone, oestrogen, important for healthy bone development?
Oestrogen is necessary for the adeqate absorption of calcium into the bones. Low levels of this hormone are associated with thinning of the bones, osteoperosis. When the levels of oestrogen are decreased, this has a detrimental effect on bone mineral content.
How is the menstrual cycle an indicator for levels of oestrogen in women?
Regular menstruation is an indicator of adequate levels of oestrogen. Oligomenorrhoea (irregular periods) and amenorrhoea (no periods) may occur when body weight is decreased.
How do the levels of oestrogen change in older women?
When the menopause has occured, the levels of oestrogen are lower due o non-functioning ovaries. Post-menopausal women are at the greatest risk of osteoperosis and many experience fractures of the hip after simple falls with a high mortality risk.
What is osteoperosis?
Osteoperosis means porous bones. The calcified hard matrix of the bone looks like a honeycomb with blood vessels and bone marrow in the spaces between the struts of the bone. When these struts become thin or break, the bone becomes porous and fragile. As a result, the bone fractures more easily.
What are the general risk factors for osteoperosis?
- Long term use of corticosteroids at high doses
- Family history of osteoperosis
- Medical conditions including Cushing’s syndrome, liver and thyroid problems
- Gastrointestinal problems causing poor absorption of calcium from the diet
- Long term immobility
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- A high-salt diet
For women, the risk factors for osteoperosis are a lack of sex hormone oestrogen caused by…..
- Early menopause
- Early hysterectomy
- No periods for six months or more (excluding pregnancy) as a result of over-exercising or over-dieting. Female dancers are particulary prone to this owing to the potentially intense natre of dance exercise and the pressure to look thin.
Can men get osteoperosis?
Yes, although for men, osteoperosis is rarer as they have larger and denser bones compared to women and do not undergo the rapid bone loss that women experience around the menopause. Osteoperosis in men is due to low levels of the male sex hormone, testosterone.
Give the process and implication of bones (growth) in young children age 5-10.
Give the process and implication of bones (fractures) in young children age 5-10.
Give the process and implication of body proportion in young children age 5-10.
Give the process and implication of body temperature in young children age 5-10.
Give the process and implication of energy in young children age 5-10.
Give the process and implication of emotional development in young children age 5-10.
Give the process and implication of the growth spurt in adolescents.
Give the process and implication of bones (length and growth) in adolescents.
Give the process and implication of body proportion in adolescents.
Give the process and implication of loss of flexibility in adolescents.
Give the process and implication of strength in adolescents.
Give the process and implication of emotional development in adolescents.
Give the process and implication of bones (strength) in post-menopausal women and older men.
Give the process and implication of loss of flexibility in post-menopausal women and older men.
Give the process and implication of loss of stamina and decreased physical fitness in post-menopausal women and older men.
Give the process and implication of loss of balance and mobility in post-menopausal women and older men.
