Osteoporosis: The Silent Bone Thinner
Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens bones to the point where they break
easily--especially bones in the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is called the
"silent disease" because you may not notice any symptoms. People can lose bone
over many years but not know they have osteoporosis until a bone breaks. About 25 million
Americans have osteoporosis--80 percent are women.
Experts do not fully understand all the causes of osteoporosis. They do know that when
women go through menopause, levels of the female hormone estrogen drop. Lower hormone
levels can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Other causes of bone loss and osteoporosis
include a diet too low in calcium and not getting enough exercise.
Who Gets Osteoporosis?
One out of two women and one in eight men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related
fracture. White and Asian women are most likely to get osteoporosis. Women who have a
family history of osteoporosis, an early menopause, or who have small body frames are at
greatest risk. Men have less risk of getting osteoporosis because they do not have the
same kinds of hormone losses as women. Osteoporosis can strike at any age but the risk
increases as you get older.
Diagnosis
Losing height or breaking a bone may be the first sign of osteoporosis. Doctors use
several different tests to find osteoporosis. The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry
(DEXA) is the most exact way to measure bone density in the wrist, hip, and lower
spine. Other tests the doctor may use include single photon absorptiometry, dual energy
absorptiometry, and quantitative computed tomography. Ask your doctor about
these tests if you think you are at risk for osteoporosis.
Prevention
Osteoporosis is preventable. A diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D and a
lifestyle that includes regular weight-bearing exercise are the best ways to prevent
osteoporosis.
Calcium. Getting enough calcium throughout life is important because it helps to
build and keep strong bones. Men and women age 25 to 65 should have 1,000 milligrams (mg)
of calcium every day. Women near or past menopause should have 1,500 mg of calcium daily.
Make foods that are high in calcium part of your diet. Healthy foods that are rich in
calcium are:
- low-fat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and milk
- canned fish with bones you can eat, such as salmon and sardines
- dark-green leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard, and broccoli
- breads made with calcium-fortified flour.
If you don’t get enough calcium from your food, you might think about taking a
calcium supplement. Always check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplement.
Vitamin D. Your body uses vitamin D to absorb calcium. Being out in the sun for
even a short time every day gives most people enough vitamin D. You can also get this
vitamin from supplements, as well as from cereal and milk fortified with vitamin D.
Exercise. Exercise builds bone strength and helps prevent bone loss. It also helps
older people stay active and mobile. Weight-bearing exercises, done on a regular basis,
are best for preventing osteoporosis. Walking, jogging, and playing tennis are all good
weight-bearing exercises. Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise
program.
Treatment
Treatment of osteoporosis aims to stop bone loss and prevent falls. Falls often cause
broken bones that can mean a trip to the hospital or a long-term disabling condition.
Osteoporosis is the cause of 1.5 million fractures each year, including more than 300,000
hip fractures.
Doctors sometimes prescribe estrogen to replace the hormones lost during menopause and
to slow the rate of bone loss. This treatment is called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
HRT also protects against heart disease and stroke. However, experts do not know all the
risks of long-term use of HRT.
Women should discuss benefits, risks, and possible side effects of HRT with their
doctors. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone that increases bone density in the
spine and can reduce pain of fractures. It comes in two forms--injection or nasal sprays.
You can also ask your doctor about the drug alendronate. This drug increases bone mass in
women past menopause.
The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to be aware of the disease and to live a
healthy lifestyle. If you think you might be at risk for osteoporosis, talk to your
doctor. Ask about the bone density tests available in your area and your prevention and
treatment choices.
National Institute on Aging
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
1996
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