OSTEOPOROSIS, WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Some Facts

• 25 million Americans are affected by osteoporosis, men and women
• 80% of those affected are women
• One out of every two women and one in five men have an osteoporosis-related fracture
• By age 75, one third of all men will be affected by osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures annually including:

1. more than 300,000 hip fractures
2. vertebral fractures
3. wrist fractures
4. more than 300,000 fractures at other sites

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 of the hip, spine and wrist.

Symptoms

Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms.  The disease can progress undetected for decades, often the first sign is a fracture.

Risk Factors

While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person's disease, it can strike at any age.  Certain people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others.  The following are risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing osteoporosis:

• Being female
• Thin and.or small frame
• Advanced age
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Early menopause (before age 45)
• Abnormal absence of menstrual periods
• Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• A diet low in calcium
• Use of certain medications (such as steroids, commonly used to treat
  asthma and arthritis and thyroid hormones if the dose is too high)
• Low testosterone levels in men
• An inactive lifestyle, not getting a great deal of exercise
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Caucasian or Asian descent

Why are women more prone to osteoporosis than men?

Women have approximately 10 to 25% less total bone mass at maturity than men, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis.  However 5 million men are affected by osteoporosis and one out of eight men age 50 and older will develop fractures.

Prevention is the key  .   .   .

Once considered a part of aging, we now know that osteoporosis is a serious disease.  The good news is that it is preventable.  Building strong bones, expecially before the age of 35 along with practicing a healthy lifestyle is the best prevention and critically important to keeping bones strong.  To help prevent osteoporosis:

•  Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium

   

  Following are the Recommended Calcium Intakes:
  Children/Young Adults
  	1-10 years	800 - 1,200 mg/day
  	11-24 years	1,200 - 1,500 mg/day
  Adult Women
  	Pregnant & Lactating - under age 24	1,200 - 1,500 mg/day
  	Pregnant & Lactating - over age 24	1,200 mg/day
  	25-49 years (premenopausal)	1,000 mg/day
  	50-64 years (postmenopausal taking estrogen)	1,000 mg/day
  	50-64 years (postmenopausal not taking estrogen)	1,500 mg/day
  	65+ years	1,500 mg/day
  Adult Men
  	25-64 years	1,000 mg/day
  	65+ years	1,500 mg/day

  (Source:  National Institutes of Health Consensus Panel, Optimal Calcium Intake, 1994)

 

• Exercise regularly

  The best exercise for your bones is weight-bearing exercise, or exercise which makes you work against gravity. A few examples include: walking, hiking, jogging, stairclimbing, and tennis. Swimming and bicycling are considered to be non weight-bearing exercise, although they have excellent cardiovascular benefits. Always consult your physician prior to beginning an exercise program if you have any health problems such as heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity and if you are age 40 or over. If you have never exercised before or have been inactive for 12 months or more consult an exercise specialist to assist you in developing a personal exercise program.

• Don't smoke and limit alcohol intake

• Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of osteoporosis or no longer have the protective benefit of estrogen due to natural or surgically-induced menopause.