Culture and Disease

HCS/245 Introduction to Health and Disease

December 5, 2010

Culture and Disease Osteoporosis is a disease that causes low bone mass and structural weaken of the bone tissue, leading to fragile bones and in an increased chance of fracturing the spine, hip, and wrist bones. People with osteoporosis cannot do normal daily activities because the bones are so thin to the fact that when they lift heavy objects or rolling over in bed can fracture a bone. Osteoporosis occurs because of the aging process and to the decreased production of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Development of osteoporosis is linked not getting adequate phosphorous or calcium, two minerals needed to build strong bones and vitamin D. Asian American women are at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis because of their lower bone mass and density, not having enough calcium in food, lactose intolerant, and are not aware of osteoporosis disease. There are two types of osteoporosis, primary and secondary. The primary osteoporosis is characterized as postmenopausal with the process of normal aging. Women who are going through menopause should consider consulting with their physician to prepare for the changes of their body. Estrogen plays an important role in women; if estrogen level decreases, it will lower the osteoclasts cells, which help produce bone, causes weakening of the bones. Some of the risks involved sudden breaks, teeth may begin to loosen and fall out, and the vertebrae may begin to disintegrate. The secondary osteoporosis may have caused by certain lifestyle factors or medications. Asian women have been found to consume less calcium, due to lactose intolerant. About 90 percent of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant; therefore, they consume fewer dairy products or none at all. Asians come from a different culture and background, which their diet consist of very different foods than the Americans. Asians have a low dietary calcium intake that is commonly found in Asian diets. Most traditional Asian diets do not consume dairy foods, such as milk and cheese. Even though Asians diets are consume low in fat, high in fiber, and full of fresh fruits and vegetables, they may not include any dairy products. Diets that are low in calcium lead them to osteoporosis. Women are especially vulnerable to osteoporosis after menopause because the lower levels of hormones weaken the bone. The bones of osteoporotic postmenopausal women are often described as brittle and fracture prone. Women develop osteoporosis almost double the times more than men do because, women have lower bone density than men. Risks factors for osteoporosis may be a family history of osteoporosis, which makes them more likely to develop osteoporosis. Family with a history of bone fractures appear to have reduced their bone mass. Lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to the disease. Smokers are at higher risk for osteoporosis. Smoking cigarettes reduces estrogen production and calcium absorption, affecting to decreases calcium levels. The hormone helps in calcium synthesis and fights against bone, destroying osteoclasts cells. Excessive alcohol use is also bad for the bones, it you drink alcohol it is best to do so in moderation. The use of certain medications such as anticonvulsants and corticosteroids are risk factors that increase the chance of having osteoporosis. The Asian immigrants, especially the elderly in the inner-city Chinatown populations are at a high risk of osteoporosis. Many reason is because of poor nutrition in childhood, have thin body result to low bone mineral density, difficulty of accessing medical care because of finance, and the lack of language barrier. According to “Asian American Health Initiative” article, there is some evidence that incidence of hip fracture is rising rapidly in developing Asian countries. For instance, in China the incidence of hip fracture in Beijing