Osteoporosis

There are many factors involving osteoporosis that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some of the factors, for which we have provided a brief overview.

Who is affected by osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is very prevalent in the US. It affects over 10 million individuals with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Estrogen deficiency is one significant cause of accelerated bone loss in women during and after menopause. Osteoporosis is the major cause of bone fractures in postmenopausal women, and in older persons in general. One out of every two women will have a fracture related to osteoporosis in her lifetime.

Other risk factors for osteoporosis:

Although the exact medical cause for osteoporosis is unknown, a number of factors contribute to osteoporosis:

• aging
  Bones become less dense and weaker as you age.
• race
  Caucasian and Asian women are most at risk, although all races may develop the disease.
• body weight
  Obesity is associated with a higher bone mass, therefore people who weigh less and have less muscle are more at risk for developing osteoporosis.
• lifestyle factors:
  • physical inactivity
  • caffeine
  • excessive alcohol use
  • smoking
  • dietary calcium and vitamin D deficiency
• certain medications
• family history of bone disease

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

Persons with osteoporosis may not develop any symptoms, or may have pain in their bones and muscles, particularly in their back. The symptoms of osteoporosis may resemble other bone disorders or medical problems. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How osteoporosis is diagnosed:

The effects of this disease can best be managed with early diagnosis and treatment. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for osteoporosis may include:

• a complete medical history, including family history
• physical examination
• skeletal x-rays
• bone density test
• blood tests (i.e., to measure serum calcium and potassium levels)

Treatment for osteoporosis:

Specific treatment will be determined by the physician(s) based on:

• patientês age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• expectations for the course of the disease
• patientês tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• patientês (or familyês) opinion or preference

The goals of managing osteoporosis are to decrease pain, prevent fractures, and to minimize further bone loss.

Some of the methods used to treat osteoporosis, are also the methods to help prevent it from ever developing, including:

• Maintain an appropriate body weight.
• Increase walking and other weight-bearing exercises.
• Minimize caffeine and alcohol consumption.
• Stop smoking.
• Maintain an adequate intake of calcium through diet and supplements. Vitamin D is also necessary because it facilitates the absorption of calcium.
• Prevent falls in the elderly to prevent fractures (i.e., install hand railings, or assistive devices in the bathroom, shower, etc.).

• estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and hormone replacement therapy
  ERT has proven to reduce bone loss, increase bone density, and reduce the risk of hip and spinal fractures in postmenopausal women.
  
  
• alendronate This medication, from a group of medications called bisphosphonates, reduces bone loss, increases bone density, and reduces the risk of fractures.
  
  
• risedronate sodium (ActonelÂ)
  This medication is also from the bisphosphonate family and has similar effects as alendronate.
  
  
• raloxifene (EvistaÂ)
  This medication is from a new group of medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) that help to prevent bone loss.

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