Bone Health
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by low bone density. This means that you have less bone mass than when you were younger. As a result of low bone density, bones become brittle, weak and more likely to fracture. Depending on its severity, osteoporosis may be accompanied by symptoms of back pain, decreased height, stooped posture and broken bones. Osteoporosis affects 25 million Americans, 80% of whom are women. It is often called "the silent condition" because you do not know you have the condition until the first fracture occurs.
Why Should Women be Concerned?
Menopause is the single most important cause of this disease because this is when your body loses estrogen. Throughout life, estrogen plays a significant role in maintaining bone strength. When estrogen levels decrease, your bone breaks down more quickly than it is developed. In the first 5 to 7 years of menopause, a woman can lose 20 percent of her bone mass.
How is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?
The Center offers a special measurement test called densitometry to identify individuals with low bone mass and predict the likelihood of future fractures. The test is safe and painless and takes just a few minutes. A bone density test uses low dose x-ray technology. The amount of radiation from a typical bone density test is only a fraction of that received from other x-ray procedures and requires no external shielding. The dose is safe to both the patient and the technologist performing the test.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Factors that increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis include:
- Age
- Being menopausal/postmenopausal
- Family history of osteoporosis
- A thin or small body frame
- Being Caucasian or Asian
- Use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and anticonvulsants
- Excessive intake of alcohol and/or caffeine
- Lack of exercise or activity
- Cigarette smoking
- A diet low in calcium
How can I Protect Myself Against Osteoporosis?
- Osteoporosis can be prevented through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes.
- Eat a balanced diet with foods rich in calcium
- Exercise regularly – especially weight bearing exercise such as walking and bicycling
- Stop smoking
- Limit your consumption of caffeine and alcohol
A balanced diet rich in calcium may not be enough for postmenopausal women to prevent osteoporosis. In addition to behavioral changes, medical treatment may be necessary to help prevent or slow the process of bone loss, the most common of which is estrogen replacement therapy. If you are concerned that you might be at risk for osteoporosis based on your personal history, talk with your provider about estrogen replacement therapy. Estrogen replacement therapy is widely used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
To Learn More About Osteoporosis
For more information, contact your personal physician or visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation www.nof.org
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