Understanding Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and can break more easily. In serious cases, something as simple daily activities can create a fracture. About 10 million Americans already are diagnosed for the disease. Another 34 million are at risk. Being at risk for osteoporosis means you are more likely to get this disease.

Who does Osteoporosis affect?

Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Factors that increase your chances of having osteoporosis are called "risk factors." While you have no control over some risk factors, there are others you can change. By making healthier choices you can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis as well as the painful broken bones it can cause.

Risk factors include age, sex, menopause, family history, low body weight/being small and thin, broken bones or height loss.

Osteoporosis can affect people of all ages, but is far more common in older people than younger people. All of us lose some bone density as we age, but some of us lose more bone or lose it faster than others.

About one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. A women's risk of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined. Women have lighter, thinner bones than men. Many women also lose bone quickly after menopause. Men over the age of 50 are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer.

In women, the sex hormone estrogen protects bones. For many women, bone loss increases after menopause when estrogen levels drop sharply. If you go through menopause early, your risk for developing osteoporosis increases. Having your ovaries removed increases your risk of osteoporosis because your ovaries are no longer producing estrogen.

Research suggests that heredity and genetics play a major role in osteoporosis and broken bones. If either of your parents had osteoporosis or a history of broken bones, you are more likely to break a bone.

Women and men with small bones and small body types are more likely than larger people to have osteoporosis. People who have broken one or more bones during their adult years may have osteoporosis and just not have a clinical diagnosis.

What are symptoms of Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is sometimes called "the silent thief." It quietly robs your bone strength over time. There are no real osteoporosis symptoms, so you can't feel your bones getting weaker. In fact osteoporosis can make bones so fragile that they break easily even with basic everyday routines.

The risk of fractures (broken bones) is serious. It's estimated that osteoporosis is to blame for about 1.5 million fractures every year.

Osteoporosis can also cause other problems. As small parts of the spine collapse, you may develop a curve in your back over time. Osteoporosis can cause you to lose an inch or two of height.

How is Osteoporosis Treated?

For patients early diagnosis is important. A bone mineral density (BMD) test is a special type of test that is accurate, painless and noninvasive. A BMD measures the density of your bones (bone mass) and is necessary to determine whether you need medication to help maintain your bone mass, prevent further bone loss and reduce fracture risk.

Osteoporosis prevention and treatment begin with a well-balanced diet with calcium-rich foods, plus calcium and vitamin D supplements, daily exercise and possible medications prescribed by your primary care physician.

A variety of medications are available for treatment variable on patients diagnosis's and need; treatment for osteoporosis focuses on slowing down or stopping the mineral loss, increasing bone density, preventing bone fractures, and controlling the pain associated with the disease. There are primarily two types of treatments utilized – anti-resorptive medications that slow bone loss and anabolic agents that build bone.

Look at the big picture.

The best way to keep your bones healthy is to establish a healthy active lifestyle. As a start, you can take steps to reduce your risk by avoiding excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol, stop smoking, have your medications for ailments such as thyroid well managed to avoid high dose treatments and begin an exercise program. Follow up care with your primary care physician for bone density scans and medicine management.

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