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Why healthy, pre-menopausal women should
be concerned about Osteoporosis
Nearly 50% of American women in their 30s and 40s are at risk
for osteoporosis. Identifying your risk factors and current levels
of bone loss can reduce the effects of this damaging disease.
What
is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a "brittle bone" disease, occurring
when excessive bone loss leads to gradual bone weakening. It is
a silent disease which can go undetected for years–until
the damage is severe enough to cause a fracture. A broken hip
or wrist often is the first symptom of osteoporosis.
Have
you ever observed the gradual loss in height and stooped posture
of an elderly relative or friend? That's a typical sign of osteoporosis.
Some bones,
like the vertebrae in the spine, contain spongy bone tissue and
are very susceptible to thinning. Weakened vertebrae can crack
and compress from even simple activities like bending to tie a
shoelace. Eventually, these types of compression fractures lead
to spinal deformities and loss of height.
Who's
at risk for osteoporosis?
Many more women than men get osteoporosis. According to the National
Osteoporosis Foundation, nearly 50% of healthy American women
in their 30s and 40s may be at risk for increased bone loss. One
third of American women aged 50 and older are likely to suffer
from spinal fractures. In 2000, osteoporosis will cause 500,000
hip fractures each year.
How
do bones change?
Your skeleton is living tissue, composed of cells embedded in
a mineral matrix. Fresh bone is continually created to replace
worn segments. In fact, your body's bones are completely replaced
every twelve years.
From
childhood into your early 20s, your bones continue to grow because
new bone formation outweighs bone loss. By your late 20s, your
bones are as strong and thick as they will ever be.
After age 35, bone building can no longer keep up with bone removal,
and bone mass begins to decrease. No one understands why gradual
bone loss occurs with aging. It is clear, however, that a dramatic
increase in bone loss occurs during menopause.
What
causes osteoporosis?
Many factors contribute to bone loss. Small or petite women and
women with relatives who have osteoporosis are at greater risk
for developing the disease. Medical factors include menstrual
irregularities, early menopause, certain diseases, stress and
some medications.
Lifestyle
factors include lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, excessive
alcohol consumption and crash dieting, or deficiencies in nutrients
such as calcium, magnesium, trace minerals, B vitamins and vitamin
D. A diet low in fiber and high in sugar or phosphates (as found
in soft drinks) has also been linked to osteoporosis.
How
do you test for osteoporosis?
There are several tests for bone loss. One uses x-rays to assess
bone mass. Another–a bone biopsy–requires an invasive
surgical procedure. However, these only detect bone loss after
it has occurred.
Great
Smokies' Bone Resorption Assessment, on the other hand, can measure
bone loss before it becomes a problem. Using early warning indicators,
this test:
Reveals
your current rate of bone loss.
Determines whether you are at high risk for future bone loss and
fractures.
Monitors effectiveness of preventative treatment.
The Bone Resorption Assessment is safe, simple, and non-invasive.
Your health care professional will give you a test kit, and you
will send a urine sample to Great Smokies, where it will be measured
for the rate of current bone loss. The results will be sent to
your health care professional, who will develop a plan to slow
bone loss and rebuild bone. With early testing and treatment,
osteoporosis can be beaten!
How
do you treat osteoporosis?
Depending on your risk level and amount of bone loss, there are
several treatments you and your health care professional can discuss.
1.
The proper diet plays a major role. You should eat foods rich
in calcium, magnesium and other minerals, and take a vitamin/mineral
supplement if necessary. You should also restrict your consumption
of carbonated soft drinks, caffeine, sugar and salt to reduce
calcium excretion.
2.
Weight-bearing exercise also impacts bone loss. Your health care
professional can help you develop an exercise plan and recommend
supplements to maintain and restore healthy bones.
3.
Estrogen replacement therapy slows bone loss and reduces osteoporotic
fractures. However, it can increase the risk of certain forms
of cancer. Progesterone therapy can offset much of this ris and
appears to increase bone mass by itself. Even testosterone therapy
may be utilized to improve bone health.
4.
For more serious cases of osteoporosis, medications such as Fosamax™
may be used.
Do
you have a high risk for developing osteoporosis?
Are
you female?
Are you over 50 years old?
Do you have fair skin and blond hair?
Are you thin or small-boned?
Do you have a near relative (mother or sister) with osteoporosis?
Are you physically inactive?
Do you smoke now or have you smoked in the past?
Do you have a history of alcohol consumption?
Do you drink milk rarely or eat dairy products infrequently?
Do you eat fish, poultry or beef at most meals?
Do you drink coffee, tea or carbonated soft drinks daily?
Do you have a history of hip, spine or wrist fractures?
Do you have a history of early menopause (natural or surgically
induced)?
Have you missed menses longer than four months?
Do you use thyroid medication?
Do you often have heartburn or indigestion?
Are you post menopausal and not receiving estrogen replacement
therapy?
Each
question relates to bone loss. The more yes responses, the more
important it is for you to seek assistance. If you answered yes
to two or more questions, talk to your Health Care Providerl about
a Bone Resorption Assessment from Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory.
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