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Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become thin and break easily. The most common breaks are in the hip, spine or wrist. Osteoporosis is called a "silent disease" because many people do not even know that they have thin bones until a bone breaks.

Between the ages of 18 and 25, you reach peak bone mass, the greatest amount of bone you will ever have. Achieving a greater peak bone mass will increase the “bank” of calcium that your body may draw on throughout your life. If, over time, your body withdraws more calcium than has been deposited, your bone density may decrease and your bones may become thinner and weaker.

Osteoporosis and broken bones do not need to be a normal part of aging; you can take action to promote strong bones for life.

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Download the October 2011 edition of No Bones About It, the newsletter of the Western New York Osteoporosis Resource Center Support Groups.

Highlights:

• Vitamin D in the Fall and Winter
• Tips to Help Avoid Winter Falls
• Calcium Rich Cream of Broccoli Soup
• Calcium Rich Appetizer: Artichoke Nibbles

 

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Risk Factors For Osteoporosis

• I am a woman older than 65 or a man older than 70.
• I am white or Asian.
• I am thin and small.
• I am a woman who has reached menopause (change of life).
• My parent has osteoporosis, stooped posture, loss of height or has broken a bone as an adult.
• I have broken a bone after age 50.
• I have lost more than 1 1/2 inches of height or have stooped posture.
• I rarely exercise.
• I rarely get enough calcium and or vitamin D.
• I smoke.
• I have more than 2 drinks of alcohol a day on most days.
• I take steroid medications.
• I have rheumatoid arthritis.

Physical Disabilities

If you have a physical disability, you are at higher risk for osteoporosis than other people.

If your physical activity is limited, you are less likely to build and maintain bone mass through muscle-strengthening and weight-bearing activities. Also, some medications that are necessary for people with disabilities may contribute to bone loss.

Click here for more information about physical disabilities and osteoporosis.

Cancer

Did you know that certain types of cancer increase the risk of osteoporosis? Some of these include:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Multiple myeloma (a bone marrow cancer)
• Various metastatic cancers (cancers that have spread throughout the body)

Click here for more information about how cancer increases the risk for osteoporosis.

Medications

Certain medications used to treat cancer can also increase the risk of osteoporosis. These include:

• Aromatase inhibitors (such as Arimidex, Femara, Aromasin)
• Androgen deprivation therapy (known as ADT, used as a hormone lowering medication)
• Immunosuppressive medications (medications that slow or stop your immune system such as methotrexate)
• Some chemotherapy medications
• Steroid medications (such as prednisone, cortisone)

Steroid Medications

Steroid medications, often called corticosteroids, include medications like prednisone and cortisone. They are prescribed to treat many conditions and diseases, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel diseases, and multiple sclerosis.

Steroid medications have major effects on the metabolism of calcium, vitamin D and bone. This can lead to bone loss, osteoporosis, and broken bones.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four medications to prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures related to osteoporosis for individuals who take chronic steroid medications.

Click here for more information about steroid medications and osteoporosis.

Smoking

Smoking can increase your risk for getting osteoporosis. As people age, both men and women who smoke tend to have more rapid bone loss.

Click here for more information about how smoking can increase your risk of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Prevention

Although your family history plays an important role in your risk for osteoporosis, following the six steps to osteoporosis prevention can reduce your personal risk for the disease:

1. Eat a balanced diet. Your diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables and adequate calcium and vitamin D.
2. Be physically active every day. Participate in regular weight-bearing and muscle strengthening exercise.
3. Don't smoke or abuse alcohol. 
4. Prevent falls by taking safety precautions.
5. Identify your personal risk factors for osteoporosis.
6. Get a bone density test when appropriate and take medication when necessary.

Calcium

Calcium is a nutrient that is essential for strong bones and for supporting your body's vital functions such as controlling your blood pressure and maintaining your heart beat. 99% of your body's calcium is stored in your bones and teeth.

Resources for more information:

• Calcium
• Calcium Supplements (New York State Osteoporosis & Education Program)
• Estimating Calcium Intake (New York State Osteoporosis & Education Program)

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important throughout life to help your body use calcium to build and maintain strong bones. It may also increase muscle strength to help prevent falls and broken bones in older adults.

The Institute of Medicine recommends 600 IU of vitamin D for most people from age 1 to 70 years old and 800 IU for people age 71 years and older. These are general recommendations for the healthy population. Some people need more vitamin D.

Your healthcare provider may tell you that you need more vitamin D if you have osteoporosis or other chronic medical conditions and have been diagnosed with low vitamin D levels.

People often need to take vitamin D supplements to get enough vitamin D.

Click here for more information about vitamin D.

Detecting Osteoporosis

If you are at risk for osteoporosis, consult your healthcare provider about getting a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test. A bone density test is able to diagnose osteoporosis or low bone mass, which may increase your risk for the development of osteoporosis.

Catholic Health provides bone density tests at several facilities.

Support Groups and Education

Sharing knowledge, feelings, and experiences with other people in similar situations will help you face the challenges of osteoporosis with a positive attitude.

The New York State Osteoporosis Prevention & Education Program has established a statewide network of support groups committed to providing people with the opportunity to obtain reliable, current information and to share coping strategies in a caring environment.

For more information about joining a support group, contact the Western New York/Rochester Regional Osteoporosis Resource Center at (716) 862-BONE (2663).

More Information

Learn more about osteoporosis from the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program.