Facts about Osteoperosis

Osteopenia: the presence of less than normal amount of bone. Osteopenia, if not treated, may result in osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis: the pathologic state of osteopenia in which bone mass is so reduced that the skeleton loses its integrity and strength becomes unable to perform its supportive function.

Causes

• Older age (starting in the mid-30's but accelerating after 50)
• Non-Hispanic white and Asian ethic background
• Small bone structure
• Family history of osteoporosis or osteoporosis-related fracture in a parent or sibling
• Previous fracture following a low-level trauma, especially after age 50
• Sex hormone deficiency, particularly estrogen deficiency, both in women (e.g. menopause) and men
• Anorexia nervosa
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• Low dietary intake or absorption of calcium and vitamin D
• Sedentary lifestyle or immobility
• Medications: steroids such as prednisone; excess thyroid hormone replacement; the blood thinner heparin; certain anticonvulsant medications such as phenytoin and ethotoin, etc.
• Certain disease can affect bone, such as endocrine disorders and inflammatory arthritis.

Diagnosis and Test

• Bone mineral density (BMD) testing – as performed in dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) – measures the demineralization of the bones. This has become the gold standard for evaluation for osteoporosis. BMD testing should be performed on all postmenopausal women with fractures, all women under 65 with an additional risk factor for osteoporosis (besides menopause), and all women 65 and over.
• A spine CT scan show demineralization. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) can evaluate bone density, but is less available and is more expensive than DEXA.
• A spine or hip x-ray may show fracture or vertebral collapse in severe cases.
• Measuring the amount of calcium in your urine can provide some evidence of increased bone turnover, but is of limited value. A number of newer tests to evaluate bone turnover are becoming available, including measurement of urinary N-telopeptide (Osteomark). In the future, these may enhance your physician's ability to diagnose early osteoporosis.

Prevention

Lifestyle changes may be the best way of preventing osteoporosis:

• Make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet (roughly 750-1500 mg/day, but will depend on your age)

            * Some foods to help get the calcium you need. Check the food labels for more                           information.

*% Daily Value tells you how much of the recommended daily amount of the nutrient is in the portion of food.

Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D (between 400-800 IU/day)

* Some foods to help get the vitamin D you need. Check the food labels for more information.

Minimum requirement is easily met by an ordinary mixed diet and by normal exposure to sunlight (15 to 20 minutes a day)

• Stop smoking
• Avoid excess alcohol intake
• Engage in weight-bearing exercises

* Any activity where in your body works against gravity.

Things you can do:

* walking                               * do yoga or tai chi

* dancing                               * jogging

* running                               * hiking

* climbing stairs                   * playing tennis

* gardening                           * supervised weight lifting

• Treat underlying medical conditions that can cause osteoporosis.
• Minimize or change medications that can cause osteoporosis; never stop taking any medications without speaking with your doctor first.
• If you are at high risk for falls, consider using hip protector which will help prevent hip fractures if you fall.

For more information, please call:

CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP

Tel. no.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6444

Note:   This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.   If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.