Osteoporosis is a disease of progressive bone loss associated with an increased risk of fractures.Tne word osteoporosis means bone (osteo) that is porous (porosis).  Brittle bone has less substance and strength because it contains fewer of the minerals which makes bones hard. Osteoporotic bones may become so fragile that even a slight injury or strain during routine activities may cause a fracture. The disease often develops unnoticed with no symptoms or discomfort, until a fracture occurs over many years. Osteoporosis often causes a loss of height and dowagers hump (a severely rounded upper back).

 

 

 

Osteoporosis is a major health problem, affecting 25 million Americans and contributing to an estimated 1.5 million bone fractures per year. Osteoporosis affects both men and women, but 80% of the diagnosed cases are women who have gone through menopause. One in four women will have an osteoporosis caused fracture during her life.  Osteoporosis is not always painful.  In fact, it is called the "silent epidemic" because it may progress painlessly for years without any noticeable symptoms.

 

 

 

Not every one will develop osteoporosis during his or her life. But your risk is greater if you:

• Are elderly - Osteoporosis can occur at any age, but risk increases as you grow older.
• Are Caucasian or Asian, Osteoporosis is more prevelant among Caucasian and Asian women.
• Have a slight body frame - Women's skeletons are smaller than men's and have 30% less bone mass Women are at a greater risk because of this.
• Have low estrogen levels due to menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries. Eating disorders and abnormal absence of monthly periods are also factors which may lead to bone loss.
• Has your diet been low in calcium rich foods? i.e., lack of the most essential bone building ingredient.
• Have an inactive lifestyle? - While bones become weaker naturally with age, lack of excercise of physical activity speeds the process.
• Have taken coticosteroids or thyroid medications for an extended period of time. Prolonged use of steriods affects bone growth. If you have been taking medications for another condition,let your doctor know.
• Do you drink alcohol in excess or smoke cigarettes? - both these activities destroy bone cells and cause calcium loss. Smoking also lowers estrogen levels can cause early menopause.

Your risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with the number of questions answered "yes."  Early detection and intervention can prevent this disorder.

 

 

 

To find out if you have osteoporosis or if you are high at risk, your doctor will take a complete medical history. He or she will talk with you about any past fractures, your diet and any medications you have been taking. Doctors may like to perform additional tests to exclude the possibilities of other diseases that can cause bone loss, including osteomalaria (a Vitamin D deficiency) or hyperparathyroidism (overeactivity of the parathyroid gland), if low bone mass is detected.

 

Bone densitometry is a safe, painless x-ray technique that compares your bone density to the norm for a person of your age, gender, and race. It is often performed in women at the time of menopause. Several types of bone densitometry are in use today to detect bone loss in different areas of body. These include single photon absorptiometry (SPA), and dual photon absorptiometry (DPA), quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and others.

 

 

 

Maybe you have been told by your doctor that you have osteoporosis. Or perhaps you do not have osteoporosis, but you would like to do everything plausible to avoid its effects.  In either case, there are steps you can take to prevent bone loss or halt its progress.  Many of the steps elucidated on the following pages are effective both as treatment and as preventive measures.

 

Include adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

 

Calcium: Body requires calcium to build strong bones and to create a supply of calcium reserves during the growing years. Adequate amount of calcium is good investment for future. Inadequate calcium during growth can contribute to development of osteoporosis later in life.

 

Calcium is necessary for bones, irrespective of your age. Although calcium can't prevent gradual bone loss after menopause, it continues to play an essential role in maintaining bone quality. Even if you have already gone through menopause or already have had osteoporosis, increasing your intake of calcium can decrease your risk of fracture.

 

The amount of calcium needed by body varies with age and other factors. National Institute of Health (NIH) makes the following recommendations regarding daily intake of calcium. Most adults need 1000-1200 milligrams of calcium daily - the equivalent of three or four 8 ounce glasses of milk. On average adult women in the U.S. get only 565 mg of calcium daily, which is half the recommended dietary intake. 

 

Eat sources of calcium like dairy products, sardines with bones and green leafy vegetables, including broccoli and collard greens. Dietary supplements can help if diet doesn't contain enough calcium. But consult a doctor before taking a calcium supplement. Your body depends on Vitamin D to properly absorb calcium. To make sure you get enough vitamin D, eat balanced meals, and get at least half an hr of sunlight weekly. Vitamin D in excess can be toxic.

 

Like muscles, bones need to stay strong. No matter what your age, exercise can help you minimize bone loss while providing many additional health benefits as well. Doctors believe that a program of moderate, regular exercise (3-4 times a week) is effective for the prevention and management of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, hiking, climbing stairs, dancing, treadmill exercises, and weight training, are probably best.Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

 

 

 

Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on the prevention of bone loss and is often a team effort involving a family physician or internist, orthopedist, gynecologist, and endocrinologist.

 

There are other treatments besides exercising regularly and nutrition therapy, which are the main parts of treatment.

 

Estrogen replacement theory (ERT) is often recommended for women at high risk for osteoporosis to prevent bone loss and reduce fracture risk. Whether or not ERT is for you can be determined when menopause begins by a measurement of bone density. ERT however has risks  such as long term use is associated with a slightly increased risk of cancer  or high blood pressure. May also cause bloating , breast tenderness, irregular bleeding or headaches.

 

Recent medical advances have made treating osteoporosis more effective than ever before.  Research has shown the way to prevent osteoporosis or live-well while controlling its effects.