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What
is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low
bone density and the deterioration of bone tissue.
As the bones become more porous and fragile, the
risk of fractures is greatly increased. The loss
of bone occurs "silently" and progressively. Often
there are no symptoms until the first fracture
occurs.
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Who
is at risk for osteoporosis? I thought it was
only postmenopausal women?
Women and men are both at risk. Osteoporosis is
often thought of as an older person's disease
but it can strike at any age. According to the
National Osteoporosis Foundation osteoporosis
and osteopenia is a major health threat for approximately
44 million Americans. 8 million American women
and 2 million men already have the disease and
millions more have low bone density. 1 in 2 women
and 1 in 8 men will have an osteoporosis-related
fracture. Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5
million fractures annually, including 300,00 hip
fractures, 700,000 vertebral fractures, 250,000
wrist fractures, and 300,000 fractures at other
sites at a cost of $18 billion. A woman's risk
of developing a hip fracture is equal to her combined
risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian
cancer. 3 out of 4 women age 45 to 75 have never
spoken to their doctor about osteoporosis. The
goal is early diagnosis of low bone density or
osteopenia and the prevention of osteoporosis.
Women over the age of 35 and men over the age
of 50 are candidates for testing; younger if there
are more risk factors. You can't tell by looking
if a person has osteoporosis. Only a bone mineral
density test (densitometry) can measure bone density.
This simple, quick, inexpensive test can detect
osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, predict
the possibility of fracturing in the future, and
determine the rate of bone loss and/or monitor
the effects of treatment if the test is conducted
at intervals of 9 to 12 months.
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How
does osteoporosis develop?
A person reaches peak bone mass at around 30-35
years of age. From that point on the body bones
experiences a net bone loss. The two major risk
factors for developing osteoporosis are a low
peak bone mass and fast bone loss. Low peak bone
mass because the amount of bone in the skeleton
will be more quickly depleted and fast bone loss
because the depletion will be accelerated. After
menopause, some women experience accelerated bone
loss. Several factors increase the likelihood
of developing osteoporosis. If a person has one
or more risk factors, the likelihood of developing
osteoporosis is increased.
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What
are the risk factors for osteoporosis?
 Being
female
Thin
or small frame
Advanced
age
Family
history
Anorexia
or bulimia
Rheumatoid
arthritis
Low
calcium diet
Inactive
lifestyle
Smoking
Low
testosterone levels in men
Diabetes
Excessive
alcohol use
Abnormal
absence of menstrual periods
Menopause,
including surgically induced menopause
Excessive
use of carbonated drinks
Use
of corticosteroids & anticonvulsants
Being
Caucasian or Asian
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How can osteoporosis
be detected?
A simple bone mass measurement will determine
if you are suffering from osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Osteometer's bone densitometers perform bone mass
measurements perform bone mass measurements in
a matter of minutes while the patients remains
fully dressed.
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Can
osteoporosis be prevented?
Osteoporosis can be almost entirely prevented.
Prevention should begin in childhood and continue
throughout life. The following prevention methods
are recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation:
a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D,
weight-bearing exercise, a healthy lifestyle with
no smoking or excessive alcohol use, early bone
density testing, and medications when appropriate.
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What
proportion of bone mass comes from genetics, what
proportion from lifestyle?
The hereditary transmissions of bone mass is very
likely dependent upon several genes, which have
not been yet identified, but which are being intensively
searched for in several researches centers throughout
the world. However, environmental factors such
as nutrition and exercise may be underestimated
when calculating the genetic role.
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What
can be done after a person has been diagnosed
with osteopenia or osteoporosis?
Follow the health care professional's recommendations.
Depending on the severity of the osteopenia or
osteoporosis the recommendation may include drug
treatment and/or one or more of the following:
Ensure
an adequate calcium intake
Avoid under-nutrition and protein malnutrition
Maintain an adequate supply of vitamin D
Avoid smoking
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Five medications are approved by the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA for the prevention
and/or treatment of osteoporosis. Each of these
medications slows or stops bone loss, increases
bone density and reduces fracture risk. Estrogen
or hormone replacement therapy (ERT/HRT), alendronate,
raloxifene and risedronate may be prescribed to
prevent osteoporosis. ERT/HRT, calcitonin, raloxifene,
alendronate and risedronate may be prescribed
to treat osteoporosis.
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