Bone problems in aging

Aging is a natural process that everyone experiences as time goes by. Just like machines become obsolete and depreciate with use, our body also shows signs of aging as our age advances. Bones make up the structural framework of our body, thus making it important to maintain healthy bones at every stage of our life.
Essentially, bones are made up of a mineral called calcium. The entire skeletal system is a storage bank for calcium. The food we eat should provide us with the required amount of calcium that our body needs. When we consume a diet that is not rich in calcium, our bodies lose calcium from the places where it is stored in our bones. This is the leading cause for weakening of bones.
Due to changes in bone structure with aging, bone tissue is lost. Low bone mass makes bones weaker and increases the risk of breaks from an unexpected bump or fall.

Loss of bone density as we continue to age occurs due a variety of reasons, including:
Sedentary lifestyle: Bone wastage as a result of a sedentary lifestyle.
Hormonal changes: Menopause in women causes hormonal changes that lead to the loss of minerals from the bone tissue. Men develop osteoporosis later in life due to the gradual decline of sex hormones.
Loss of essential nutrients: Bones lose minerals, calcium and vitamin D over time.

Deformity of bones due to aging
Changes in vertebrae: Vertebrae are the bones that make up the spine. There is a disk-shaped cushion between each bone. The disks gradually lose fluid and get thinner as we age, shortening the middle of the body (the trunk). Additionally, the mineral content of the vertebrae decreases, causing thinning of each bone. The spinal column becomes compressed and bent. The vertebrae may develop bone spurs (bony lumps on the spine or around the joints) as a result of aging and general spinal use.
Long and small bones: Despite not changing in length, mineral loss makes the bones in the arms and legs more brittle. As a result of demineralization, these bones seem to be longer in appearance. Additionally, there is a slight height loss as the foot arches become less prominent.
Joint changes: Less flexibility and stiffness develop in the joints. There is a possibility for joint fluid to be reduced. Friction could cause the cartilage to become damaged. Some joints may calcify as a result of mineral deposition. This frequently occurs near the shoulder. Degenerative changes (cartilage loss) may start to occur in the hip and knee joints. The finger joint bones progressively thicken and lose cartilage. Women are more likely to experience changes to their finger joints like osteophytes (bony swellings).

Effect of age-related changes in the bones
As we age, our bones become more brittle and are more prone to breakage. The trunk and spine shorten, which primarily results in a reduction in the overall height of an individual.
Deformity, pain, stiffness, and inflammation can be caused due to joint breakdown. Nearly all older people experience joint changes. These changes can lead to inconveniences ranging from minor stiffness to severe arthritis.
The body stance becomes more bent or stooped due to aging. While it is possible for the hips and knees to flex more, the shoulders may narrow, the neck may tilt, and the pelvis may become enlarged. Movement becomes slow and limited. The gait (pattern of walking) slows down and the strides become shorter. There may be less arm swinging and more shaky walking.

Bone problems in old age
The older population is particularly susceptible to bone diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, etc. These health conditions frequently go unnoticed or untreated in the absence of fractures or overt disability because they are linked to varying degrees of bone thinning, fragility, increased susceptibility to fracture, and pain.

Conditions affecting the skeletal system in older people include:

• Osteoarthritis: This condition affects millions of people worldwide and is the most common type of arthritis. It is caused when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually deteriorates. Osteoarthritis symptoms include joint pain in the hands, knees, neck, lower back, and hips.
• Osteomalacia: In this condition, adults experience "softening" of the bones, which is typically brought about by a prolonged vitamin D deficiency. Because of reduced mineralization, bones deteriorate more quickly than they can regenerate.
• Osteoporosis: It is a bone disease caused due to the decline of bone mass and mineral density, or when the composition and strength of the bone changes. As a result, the strength of the bones decreases, increasing the risk of fractures.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: This is a condition caused due to joint inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include stiff, painful movements, swollen, or deformed joints. This condition typically appears before the age of 45, but it can be chronic and can cause problems to the elderly as well.
• Paget’s disease: This disease disrupts the natural replacement of old bone tissue by new bone tissue in your body. Over time, bones can deteriorate and change in shape. The most frequently impacted areas are the legs, spine, pelvis, and the skull. Age and family history of the condition both increase the risk of Paget's disease of the bones.

Bone is a dynamic organ that performs various homeostatic and mechanical tasks. In the aging population, brittle bones can result from a decline in bone density even if they do not have any type of bone disease.
Remodelling is a continuous process of self-regeneration in which old bone is removed and replaced with new bone. To keep bone mass and strength, the processes of bone formation and resorption (breakdown of bone tissue) must be well regulated. This balance is negatively impacted due to aging, leading to more bone resorption than bone formation. Osteoporosis and fractures are ultimately caused by the combination of a lack of bone mass and a decline in strength.
Elderly people's risk for pain and fractures can be significantly reduced by treating or monitoring bone disease. Seniors should seek expert consultation and be tested for bone disease if they sustain any fractures or breaks.