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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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