Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by bones that are weak and more likely to break. Many people with osteoporosis do not know they even have it until a bone breaks. What a bad way to find out! People at an older age are more likely to have osteoporosis. It is more common for older women to have osteoporosis, but men can also develop it. Osteoporosis affects almost 20% of women aged 50 years and older, and 5% of men aged 50 years and older. Now is a great time to learn more about osteoporosis since May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month.
Recovering from a broken bone in an older adult becomes harder and the pain from the incident may become chronic. Broken bones most often happen in the hip, forearm, wrist and spine. Hip fractures can be the worst because many people are no longer able to live on their own and may be more likely to die sooner.
Bone is living tissue that is always being broken down and replaced with new tissue. Osteoporosis happens when the creation of new bone cannot keep up with the loss of old bone. Look at the picture above to see the difference between them.
Osteoporosis screening recommendations:
- Recommended for women who are 65 years old and older
- Recommended for women who are 50-64 years old and have certain risk factors such as having a parent who has had a broken hip
Screening is important to find people before they break a bone so that they can take the necessary steps to decrease the effects of osteoporosis. A bone density test determines if a person has osteoporosis. It uses a low-level x-ray called a DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The bones commonly tested are in the spine, hip and sometimes the forearm. Having a bone density test can identify if there is a decrease in bone density before a bone is broken. It can also determine a person’s risk for broken bones, can confirm a diagnosis for osteoporosis and helps monitor current osteoporosis treatment.
A health care provider may also order a bone density test for the following reasons:
- Losing height. People who have lost at least 1.5 inches may have a compression fracture in their spine. Osteoporosis is one of the main causes of compression fractures.
- Fractured a bone due to fragility. A bone is so fragile that it breaks more easily than expected. It could be caused by something as small as sneezing, coughing or bumping into something.
- Taking certain drugs. The long-term use of steroid medications like prednisone interferes with the bone-rebuilding process which can lead to osteoporosis.
- Drop in hormone levels. Women have a natural drop in their hormones after menopause. Estrogen in women may also drop during certain cancer treatments.
Main risk factors:
- Sex. Women are more likely to develop.
- Age. The older you get, the greater the risk you have.
- Race. The greatest risk is for people of white or Asian descent.
- Family history. Having a parent or sibling puts you at greater risk, especially if your mother or father fractured a hip.
- Body frame size. Women and men with small body frames are at a higher risk because they have less bone mass to draw from as they age.
- Other risk factors include people with eating disorders, low calcium intake, GI surgery, long term use of steroids and medications used for seizures, gastric reflux and cancer.
How to improve bone health:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D
- Take supplements for any vitamin D deficiency
- Sun exposure can help absorb vitamin D
- Perform weight-bearing exercises regularly – walking, climbing stairs, lifting weights, using resistance bands, Yoga, Pilates, tai chi
- Do not smoke
- Limit alcohol use
- If diagnosed with osteopenia, regular bone mineral density tests should be done to monitor bone health every two or three years
- If diagnosed with osteoporosis, medication will be prescribed to strengthen bones
It is important to take steps to prevent falls as the risk of falling rises with age. Physical activity that improves strength and balance can help and so can home safety with the use of handrails, better lighting, grab bars and removing tripping hazards. Make this osteoporosis awareness and prevention month one that will help you take charge of your bones and fight the threat of osteoporosis to bone health.
https://nationaltoday.com/national-osteoporosis-awareness-and-prevention-month/
https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/osteoporosis.htm
