Conditions A-Z - Osteoporosis

About Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease in which there is a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. This process causes weakening of the bones and makes them more likely to break. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.

Who is affected by osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis affects over 10 million Americans, with women four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Another 34 million have low bone mass and therefore have an increased risk for osteoporosis. Estrogen deficiency is one of the main causes of bone loss in women during and after menopause. Women may lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause.

Other risk factors for osteoporosis:

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

Picture of an elderly woman at a billiards table

aging
Bones become less dense and weaker with age.
race
Caucasian and Asian women are most at risk, although all races may develop the disease.
body weight and bone structure
People who weigh less and have small body frames are more at risk for developing osteoporosis.
lifestyle factors:
The following lifestyle factors may increase a person's risk of osteoporosis:
- 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. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How osteoporosis is diagnosed:

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for osteoporosis may include the following:

family medical history
x-rays (skeletal) - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
bone density test (Also called bone densitometry.) - measurement of the mass of bone in relation to its volume to determine the risk of developing osteoporosis.
blood tests (to measure serum calcium and potassium levels)

The effects of this disease can best be managed with early diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment for osteoporosis:

Specific treatment for osteoporosis will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

The goals of managing osteoporosis are to decrease pain, prevent fractures, and minimize further bone loss. Some of the methods used to treat osteoporosis are also the methods to help prevent it from developing, including the following:

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.).
Consult your physician regarding a medication regimen.

For postmenopausal osteoporosis in women, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following medications to maintain bone health:

estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
ERT has proven to reduce bone loss, increase bone density, and reduce the risk of hip and spinal fractures in postmenopausal women. However, a woman considering ERT should consult her physician, as the recent study conducted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found health risks associated with this therapy.
alendronate
This medication, from a group of medications called bisphosphonates, reduces bone loss, increases bone density, and reduces the risk of fractures.
risedronate sodium (Actonel®)
This medication is also from the bisphosphonate family and has similar effects as alendronate.
raloxifene (Evista®)
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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