What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis affects over 25 million Americans each year and is responsible for 1.3 million fractures per year. Osteoporosis is the thinning of your bone. As you mature, your body builds bone faster than it breaks down. After age 25-35, this slowly reverses and the breakdown becomes faster than the building, especially in women after menopause. This causes the bones to become brittle and increases your risk for a fracture. Osteoporosis can be diagnosed with a DEXA scan which measures the density of your bone. The test takes 20-30 minutes. Your spine, hip or wrists are examined and the results are usually available that day. There are no special preparations for the test. Ask your doctor if you have the risk factors for Osteoporosis. To learn more about Osteoporosis, please visit: The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and The National Institute of Health.
Osteoporosis is a thinning of the bones and is most frequently seen in postmenopausal women. It is a silent process that makes the bones weak and brittle. When this happens, a minor fall can cause a fracture which sometimes requires major surgery (e.g. a broken hip). This disease is not related to arthritis. Treatment for osteoporosis includes hormone replacement therapy and other medications. Adequate calcium and vitamin D and weight bearing exercise maximize the effects of medication. It is also important for teenagers and young women to maximize their bone strength by consuming diets containing adequate calcium (1200 mg per day). Also, prevention of osteoporosis includes refraining from smoking and minimizing alcohol consumption.
Osteoporosis, which literally means “porous bone”, is a disease in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As the bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. The loss of bone occurs “silently” and progressively. Often there are no symptoms until the first fracture occurs. The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis occur at the hip, spine and wrist. The incidence of these fractures, particularly at the hip and spine, increases with age in both women and men. Of notable concern are vertebral (spinal) and hip fractures. Vertebral fractures can result in serious consequences, including loss of height, intense back pain and deformity. A hip fracture often requires surgery and may result in loss of independent living. The good news is that osteoporosis is now a largely treatable condition and, with a combination of lifestyle changes and appropriate medical treatment, many fractures can be avoided.
(A) Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue which leads to reduced bone strength, poor bone quality and an increased risk of fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist. Often called the “quiet disease,” osteoporosis symptoms are rarely evident until significant bone loss has occurred. The disease, however, is treatable and preventable. Early diagnosis and monitoring through bone density testing allows for therapeutic intervention and has improved the prognosis for patients.
