|
Osteoporosis
The Silent Bone Thinner
Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens
bones to the point where they break easily--especially bones in the hip,
spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is called the "silent disease"
because you may not notice any symptoms. People can lose bone over many
years but not know they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks. About 25
million Americans have osteoporosis--80 percent are women.
Experts do not fully understand all the causes of osteoporosis. They do
know that when women go through menopause, levels of the female hormone
estrogen drop. Lower hormone levels can lead to bone loss and
osteoporosis. Other causes of bone loss and osteoporosis include a diet
too low in calcium and not getting enough exercise.
Who Gets Osteoporosis?
One out of two women and one in eight men over age 50
will have an osteoporosis-related fracture. White and Asian women are most
likely to get osteoporosis. Women who have a family history of
osteoporosis, an early menopause, or who have small body frames are at
greatest risk. Men have less risk of getting osteoporosis because they do
not have the same kinds of hormone losses as women. Osteoporosis can
strike at any age but the risk increases as you get older.
Diagnosis
Losing height or breaking a bone may be the first sign
of osteoporosis. Doctors use several different tests to find osteoporosis.
The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the most exact way to
measure bone density in the wrist, hip, and lower spine. Other tests the
doctor may use include single photon absorptiometry, dual energy
absorptiometry, and quantitative computed tomography. Ask your doctor
about these tests if you think you are at risk for osteoporosis.
Prevention
Osteoporosis is preventable. A diet that is rich in
calcium and vitamin D and a lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing
exercise are the best ways to prevent osteoporosis.
Calcium. Getting enough calcium throughout life is important because it
helps to build and keep strong bones. Men and women age 25 to 65 should
have 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium every day. Women near or past
menopause should have 1,500 mg of calcium daily. Make foods that are high
in calcium part of your diet. Healthy foods that are rich in calcium are:
- low-fat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and
milk
- canned fish with bones you can eat, such as salmon
and sardines
- dark-green leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard,
and broccoli
- breads made with calcium-fortified flour.
If you don’t get enough calcium from your food, you
might think about taking a calcium supplement. Always check with your
doctor before taking any dietary supplement.
Vitamin D. Your body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium. Being out in the
sun for even a short time every day gives most people enough vitamin D.
You can also get this vitamin from supplements, as well as from cereal and
milk fortified with vitamin D.
Exercise. Exercise builds bone strength and helps prevent bone loss. It
also helps older people stay active and mobile. Weight-bearing exercises,
done on a regular basis, are best for preventing osteoporosis. Walking,
jogging, and playing tennis are all good weight-bearing exercises. Always
check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Treatment
Treatment of osteoporosis aims to stop bone loss and
prevent falls. Falls often cause broken bones that can mean a trip to the
hospital or a long-term disabling condition. Osteoporosis is the cause of
1.5 million fractures each year, including more than 300,000 hip
fractures.
Doctors sometimes prescribe estrogen to replace the hormones lost during
menopause and to slow the rate of bone loss. This treatment is called
hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT also protects against heart disease
and stroke. However, experts do not know all the risks of long-term use of
HRT.
Women should discuss benefits, risks, and possible side effects of HRT
with their doctors. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone that
increases bone density in the spine and can reduce pain of fractures. It
comes in two forms--injection or nasal sprays. You can also ask your
doctor about the drug alendronate. This drug increases bone mass in women
past menopause.
The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to be aware of the disease and to
live a healthy lifestyle. If you think you might be at risk for
osteoporosis, talk to your doctor. Ask about the bone density tests
available in your area and your prevention and treatment choices.
Resources
National Osteoporosis Foundation
1150 17th Street, NW, Suite 602
Washington, DC 20036-2226
1-800-223-9994
National Resource Center on Osteoporosis and Related Diseases
1-800-624-BONE (2663)
TTY (202) 223-0344
For a list of free publications from the National Institute on Aging
(NIA), contact:
NIA Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225
(1-800-222-4225 TTY)
E-mail:niainfo@access.digex.net
National Institute on Aging
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
1996 Natural Treatments:
Doctors agree that good nutrition is
essential for bone health. Experts recommend these nutrients to help
prevent osteoporosis or slow its progression.
NUTRIENTS, DAILY AMOUNTS, AND APPLICATIONS
MEDICAL ALERT!
- If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you should be under a
doctor's care.
- If you have heart or kidney problems, you should talk to your doctor
before taking magnesium supplements.
|