Definition:
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low
bone mass and structural deterioration
of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip,
spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected. The overlying mechanism in all cases of osteoporosis
is an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation.
Symptoms: Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People
may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump
or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse. While neck pain and bone pain or tenderness can
accompany bone loss, the most common symptoms of osteoporosis are bone fractures, stooped
posture, loss of height, and back pain.
A compression fracture occurs when the weakened bone tissue of a vertebra collapses. A sneeze or
cough can cause an already brittle vertebra to fracture. Sometimes there is numbness, tingling or
weakness in your arms or legs. Over time, multiple compression fractures can lead to stooped posture,
a hump on the upper back, and loss in height by as much as 6 inches.
Fractures: The most typical sites of fractures related ot osteoporosis are the hip, spine, wrist and ribs, although
the disease can affect any bone in the body. Fractures can lead to decreased mobility and an additional
risk of deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. Vertebral fractures can lead to severe
chronic pain of neurogenic origin, which can be harder to control.
Risk Factors: A controllable way to reduce the chances of osteoporosis is to have a diet rich with calcium and
phosphate as a young child. Although, as you age, your body can take the calcium and phosphate
that is stored in your bones to support the functioning of other organs. This can cause the bones
to become fragile and brittle.
Some other controllable and uncontrollable risk factors are:
genetics
being female
having other chronic medical problems
hormone deficiencies
alcohol
smoking
lack of exercise
being thin and/or having a small frame
vitamin D deficiency
Detection: Specialized tests called bone mineral dificiency (BMD) tests can measure bone density in various sites
of the body. A BMD test can:
1 detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs
2 predict chances of fracturing in the future
3 determine rate of bone loss and/or monitor the effects of treatment if a BMD test is conducted
of one year or more.
Medicare reimburses for BMD testing every 2 years. Also, an increase in BMD testing and
osteoporosis treatment was associated with a decrease in hip fracture incidents.
Prevention: By about the age of 20, the average woman has acquired 98 percent of her skeletal mass. Building
strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing
osteoporosis later.
Other ways that might help prevent osteoporosis are:
1 a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
2 weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises
3 a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
4 talking to one's healthcare professional about bone health
5 bone density testing and medication when appropriate
Good sources of calcium include low fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream;
dark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, bok choy and spinach; sardines and salmon
with bones; tofu; almonds; and foods fortified with calcium, such as orange juice, cereals and breads.
Treatment: Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are some medications approved by the FDA for
postmenopausal women to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis.
Some brand names of these medications consist of:
1 biphosphonates: Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, Miacalcin
2 estrogen: Climara, Estrace, Estraderm, Estratab, Ogen, Ortho-Est, Premarin, Vivelle
3 selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs): Evista
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of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip,
spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected. The overlying mechanism in all cases of osteoporosis
is an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation.
Symptoms: Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People
may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump
or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse. While neck pain and bone pain or tenderness can
accompany bone loss, the most common symptoms of osteoporosis are bone fractures, stooped
posture, loss of height, and back pain.
A compression fracture occurs when the weakened bone tissue of a vertebra collapses. A sneeze or
cough can cause an already brittle vertebra to fracture. Sometimes there is numbness, tingling or
weakness in your arms or legs. Over time, multiple compression fractures can lead to stooped posture,
a hump on the upper back, and loss in height by as much as 6 inches.
Fractures: The most typical sites of fractures related ot osteoporosis are the hip, spine, wrist and ribs, although
the disease can affect any bone in the body. Fractures can lead to decreased mobility and an additional
risk of deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. Vertebral fractures can lead to severe
chronic pain of neurogenic origin, which can be harder to control.
Risk Factors: A controllable way to reduce the chances of osteoporosis is to have a diet rich with calcium and
phosphate as a young child. Although, as you age, your body can take the calcium and phosphate
that is stored in your bones to support the functioning of other organs. This can cause the bones
to become fragile and brittle.
Some other controllable and uncontrollable risk factors are:
genetics
being female
having other chronic medical problems
hormone deficiencies
alcohol
smoking
lack of exercise
being thin and/or having a small frame
vitamin D deficiency
Detection: Specialized tests called bone mineral dificiency (BMD) tests can measure bone density in various sites
of the body. A BMD test can:
1 detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs
2 predict chances of fracturing in the future
3 determine rate of bone loss and/or monitor the effects of treatment if a BMD test is conducted
of one year or more.
Medicare reimburses for BMD testing every 2 years. Also, an increase in BMD testing and
osteoporosis treatment was associated with a decrease in hip fracture incidents.
Prevention: By about the age of 20, the average woman has acquired 98 percent of her skeletal mass. Building
strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing
osteoporosis later.
Other ways that might help prevent osteoporosis are:
1 a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
2 weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises
3 a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake
4 talking to one's healthcare professional about bone health
5 bone density testing and medication when appropriate
Good sources of calcium include low fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream;
dark green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, collard greens, bok choy and spinach; sardines and salmon
with bones; tofu; almonds; and foods fortified with calcium, such as orange juice, cereals and breads.
Treatment: Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are some medications approved by the FDA for
postmenopausal women to prevent and/or treat osteoporosis.
Some brand names of these medications consist of:
1 biphosphonates: Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, Miacalcin
2 estrogen: Climara, Estrace, Estraderm, Estratab, Ogen, Ortho-Est, Premarin, Vivelle
3 selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs): Evista
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