A condition in which bones become weak and break easily.

A condition in which bones become weak and break easily.

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Rickets
• C. Osteoporosis
• D. Osteomyelitis

Answer: (C)

Bones becoming weak and breaking easily points to osteoporosis, a condition where bone mass and bone quality are reduced, so the structure becomes porous and fractures can occur with minimal trauma. In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance where bone resorption outpaces bone formation, leading to thinner, less dense bones. This is especially common with aging and is a major risk after menopause due to lower estrogen, which normally helps protect bone. The result is a higher likelihood of fragility fractures, particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist. Other conditions differ in what they affect. Osteoarthritis is a joint problem where the cartilage wears down, causing pain and stiffness in joints rather than widespread bone fragility. Rickets is a deficiency disease seen in growing children where defective mineralization of bone leads to soft, weak bones and deformities. Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone, presenting with pain, fever, and inflammation, not the systemic issue of reduced bone density that characterizes osteoporosis.

Bones becoming weak and breaking easily points to osteoporosis, a condition where bone mass and bone quality are reduced, so the structure becomes porous and fractures can occur with minimal trauma. In osteoporosis, there is an imbalance where bone resorption outpaces bone formation, leading to thinner, less dense bones. This is especially common with aging and is a major risk after menopause due to lower estrogen, which normally helps protect bone. The result is a higher likelihood of fragility fractures, particularly in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Other conditions differ in what they affect. Osteoarthritis is a joint problem where the cartilage wears down, causing pain and stiffness in joints rather than widespread bone fragility. Rickets is a deficiency disease seen in growing children where defective mineralization of bone leads to soft, weak bones and deformities. Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone, presenting with pain, fever, and inflammation, not the systemic issue of reduced bone density that characterizes osteoporosis.