Osteoporosis

Printer Friendly Version

Osteoporosis affects more than 44 million Americans.  Women are four times more likely than men to develop this metabolic bone disease.  The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that by the year 2025, the costs associated with osteoporosis will approach $25 billion.

Osteoporosis is also called fragile bone disease and is characterized by loss of bone density.  Reduced bone density causes bones to become weak and increases the risk for fracture.  Any bone in the body may fracture, although the hips, vertebral bodies, and wrists are common fracture sites related to osteoporosis.  Left unchecked and untreated, osteoporosis can progress to cause physical deformity and loss of stature.
 

Risk Factors

Weakening of the bones does not always cause symptoms. Many people do not know that they have osteoporosis until a fracture occurs.  There are many risk factors for osteoporosis, including some that can be controlled. Considering that osteoporosis may be preventable in some cases, early efforts to reduce risk may prevent or delay osteoporosis development.

Risks you cannot control:

• Gender (women are more likely to get osteoporosis than men)
• Growing older
• Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
• Small-boned and thin
• Race (Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic are more likely to get osteoporosis)

Risks you can control:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Adequate intake of calcium and Vitamin D
• Hormones: medication to control estrogen and/or testosterone levels
• Regular weight-bearing exercise and physical activity
• No smoking (or tobacco use)
• Moderate use of alcohol

Drugs and disorders that increase risk:

• Steroids (corticosteroids)
• Certain anticonvulsant drugs
• Eating disorders
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gastrointestinal problems

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of osteoporosis should be made by a physician and involves:

• Medical history: The physician obtains information about your family history, prior fractures (if any), current symptoms, and lifestyle.

• Physical examination:  The physician examines you for movement limitations, balance problems, and pain. He tests your reflexes, and evaluates muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and other signs of a possible neurological problem.

• Diagnostic test:  A dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan (also called bone densitometry) is a fast and painless test to measure bone density – the strength of your bones.  Not only can the test diagnose osteoporosis, but is used to detect early stage bone loss (osteopenia).  
   

Treatment

The physician may prescribe medication to prevent or treat osteoporosis. The type of medication depends on many things, including your age, gender, risk of fracture, and the status of your osteoporosis. Lifestyle factors, including calcium and Vitamin D supplementation and weight-bearing exercises, are an important component of treatment.
 

Conclusion

Osteoporosis is a serious condition.  Treatment is available. Early diagnosis is important to achieve the best possible outcome.  Even if you have advanced osteoporosis, it is not too late to start treatment.