Osteoporosis: Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Risk Factors and Nursing Support

Explain the modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors for osteoporosis.

The non-modifiable risk factors cannot be prevented and the modifiable risk factors can be prevented. Some of the non-modifiable risk factors of osteoporosis are age and sex, estrogen level, medication as well as other diseases (Keen & Reddivari, 2020). Advanced age results in a decline in bone mass. At the age of forty, the bone mass decreased and this increases the risk of osteoporosis. Females have a lower peak bone mass than males and this puts them at a great risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen reduces the osteoclast activity and it stimulates the osteoblast-mediated bone building. At menopause, women stop producing estrogen and this causes the loss of the bone tissues which increases the risk of osteoporosis. Medications such as glucocorticoids that are used to treat inflammatory disorders such as asthma increase the risk of osteoporosis as they decrease the building of the bones. Additionally, there are other diseases that disrupt absorption of nutrients and they are; Crohn's disease, chronic kidney disease, and anorexia. The modifiable risk factors are physical inactivity, being underweight, nutrition, and smoking (Keen & Reddivari, 2020). Physical inactivity is associated with the risk of fractures and lower peak bone mass. Individuals who are underweight have a low peak bone mass and a small frame size and this increases the risk of osteoporosis. People who smoke have a decreased bone mass index and this is a contributing factor to osteoporosis. Additionally, a lack of nutritional components such as Vitamin D and Calcium that maintain health puts a person at risk of osteoporosis.

How can a nurse support the patient to manage the health condition and restore the patient to optimal health?

Nurses can help patients suffering from osteoporosis manage their condition by educating them on the importance of lifestyle behavior modifications (Porter et al., 2022). This is because some of the causes of osteoporosis can be prevented. Nurses can also support patients by helping them with pain management, providing them with emotional support, and collaborating with other healthcare providers in managing the condition.

References

• Keen, M. U., & Reddivari, A. K. R. (2020). Osteoporosis in Females. Europepmc. https://europepmc.org/article/nbk/nbk559156
• Porter, J. L., Varacallo, M., & Castano, M. (2022). Osteoporosis (Nursing). In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568781/