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OsteoporosisThe Facts Osteoporosis is a bone disease where parts of the bone become weak and prone to fracture. This condition is more common in seniors, but can affect men and women of all ages. Osteoporosis is responsible for a large number of bone fractures that occur in seniors, as the weakened bones can no longer support their body weight. While men also develop osteoporosis, this condition is particularly common among women who have reached menopause. The increased risk at menopause reflects the fact that the hormone estrogen, a key factor in maintaining bone strength in women, is no longer produced by the ovaries after menopause. Because women have 30% less bone mass than men, women are particularly prone to osteoporosis as they age. However, after reaching 65 to 70 years of age, men and women lose bone at about the same rate. Eating enough foods rich in calcium and vitamin D and participating in weight-bearing exercises are important steps in preventing osteoporosis. Causes Bone is made up mostly of minerals such as calcium. The bones in our bodies are constantly being broken down and replaced with new bones. This bone-building cycle takes about 100 days and is influenced by the hormones produced in our bodies (such as estrogen in women) as well as by the levels of calcium and vitamin D. Osteoporosis occurs when bone tissue and minerals are lost faster than the bone is replaced. In Canada, osteoporosis affects about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men over the age of 50. Factors that may increase the risk of osteoporosis include:
Symptoms and Complications Osteoporosis itself does not usually cause noticeable symptoms. However, weakened bones can break much more easily, such as with a minor fall. Fractures most commonly occur in the hipbones, wrists, or spine. Hip fractures are more frequent in people over the age of 75 years. Some fractures caused by osteoporosis, such as hairline breaks in the spine, may cause little or no pain and may go unnoticed, even when they show up on an X-ray. By contrast, spinal crush fractures, where the vertebral column crumbles or collapses, are much more painful and can lead to deformed posture and height loss. Another symptom caused by osteoporosis is chronic back pain. This pain can worsen even when you are making small movements such as regular activities around the house, or while coughing, laughing, or sneezing. You may even feel pain when you are standing still. Making the Diagnosis The key steps for diagnosing osteoporosis involve assessing your risk for fracture and evaluating your bone density. If your doctor determines that you do have risk factors for fracture or osteoporosis (such as being 65 years or older or having had a fracture in the past), there are several effective and relatively quick tests that measure bone mineral density (BMD). If the results show that your bone density is too low, your doctor will likely diagnose you with osteoporosis. Bone density measurement by a method called DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) is the most effective way to assess osteoporosis risk. Scanning parts of the body such as the hips or spine using a special type of X-ray machine can confirm you have an increased risk of fractures. The test compares your bone density to that of a typical healthy adult at age 25, the usual age of maximum bone density. Sometimes a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a heel ultrasound may also be used to check the condition of the bones. Following the diagnosis of osteoporosis, further studies are needed to look for possible causes. An examination to determine such causes might involve blood and urine tests to measure the levels of certain hormones produced in the body, as well as questionnaires on lifestyle and diet, to help determine your daily intake of calcium and vitamin D. There are also two tools (CAROC and FRAX) available in Canada for your doctor to use to calculate an estimate of future risk of fracture or bone breaking in the next 10 years. To determine your personal risk of fracture over the next 10 years, your doctor will take into consideration key risk factors which may include: age, gender, body mass index, fracture history, family history, use of corticosteroids, smoking status, and alcohol intake. If your doctor decides that you require medication to treat osteoporosis, BMD testing may be conducted every 1 to 3 years to see if the therapy is working. Once the medication is shown to be effective, you may not need to be tested as often. BMD testing may also be repeated to monitor for rapid bone loss in people who are not started on medications for osteoporosis but are at risk for developing the disease. Treatment and Prevention Treatment of osteoporosis is aimed at preventing or reducing bone fractures and maintaining or increasing bone density. There are several treatments for osteoporosis, but prevention is still very important. Many of the treatment and prevention strategies for osteoporosis are similar. Maintenance of good bone strength requires that you have a regular intake of calcium and vitamin D. Osteoporosis Canada recommends 1,000 mg of elemental calcium daily (diet plus supplements) for men and women between the ages of 19 and 50 years, and 1,200 mg for men and women over the age of 50 years. They recommend 400 IU to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily for adults between the ages of 19 and 50 years who are not at high risk of osteoporosis, and 800 IU to 2,000 IU for both adults over the age of 50 and people at high risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D supplements are widely available. Osteoporosis Canada also recommends a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive intake of alcohol, as well as four types of exercise: strength training, balance exercises, posture awareness, and aerobic activity. Strength exercises, also known as resistance training, can be done with weights or exercise bands. These exercises play a role in strengthening muscles and bones. Posture and balance can be improved through exercise and can significantly reduce the risk of bone fractures. Aerobic physical activities (e.g., walking, dancing, or jogging) for at least 150 minutes per week are also recommended. There are several medications that can be used to treat osteoporosis. Many of these treatments may also be used to prevent osteoporosis for people who are at high risk of developing it. The following are some of the osteoporosis medications available in Canada:
Two or more medications may also be used in combination to treat some cases of osteoporosis. In addition, doctors usually recommend that you continue to get enough calcium and vitamin D. All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Osteoporosis |
The contents of this site are for informational purposes only and are meant to be discussed with your physician or other qualified health care professional before being acted on. Never disregard any advice given to you by your doctor or other qualified health care professional. Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed health care professional regarding any questions you have about your medical condition(s) and treatment(s). This site is not a substitute for medical advice. © 1996 - 2024 MediResource Inc. - Targeted Health Solutions |
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