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Osteoporosis: An
Aging Issue
Osteoporosis means
"porous bone." It is a disease characterized by excessive bone loss,
increased risk of fractures, and poor bone quality. When we think about our
bones, we visualize a hard and lifeless mass. But bone is complex, living, and
growing. Throughout your life, old bone tissue is constantly being broken down
and new tissue is built to replace it. Around age 35, you begin to lose bone
more quickly than you can build it. Women have less bone mass to draw from than
men due to their lighter, thinner frames. After menopause, women lose bone mass
rapidly. By age 65 or 70, women and men lose bone mass at about the same rate.
Are You at Risk?
Let's look at the major
risk factors for osteoporosis.
-
Age: The older
you are, the greater the risk for osteoporosis.
-
Gender: Your
chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman.
-
Bone structure/body
weight: Small boned and thin women are at greater risk of developing
osteoporosis.
-
Decreases in sex
hormones: One-third to one-half of all women develop osteoporosis
after menopause. For men, decreases in the male hormone testosterone can
cause bone mass to be reduced.
-
Medications and
disease: Osteoporosis is associated with certain medications such as
cortisone-like drugs. Medical conditions include endocrine disorders, such
as an overactive thyroid, gastrointestinal surgery, and immobilization.
-
Lifestyle: You
can decrease your risk of osteoporosis by consuming an adequate amount of
calcium, participating in weight-bearing exercise, reducing your use of
alcohol, and quitting smoking.
-
Heredity: Young
women whose mothers have a history of vertebral fractures also seem to
have reduced bone mass.
How Can You Help Prevent
Osteoporosis?
It is important to help
protect yourself from developing this disease and to enhance your health at
the same time.
-
Hormones:
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is recommended for women at high risk
for osteoporosis when there are no other concerns. ERT must be discussed
with your medical specialist. For men, low levels of testosterone have
been associated with hip and spinal fractures. Testosterone can help
prevent bone loss.
-
Diet: Most
adults get only one-third to one-half of their recommended daily calcium
requirement. After midlife, everyone should consume 1,000 milligrams of
calcium each day. For individuals at risk for osteoporosis, such as
postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy, intake should be
1,500 milligrams a day. If you have concerns regarding your consumption of
this vital nutrient, ask your doctor or dietitian to assist you in
developing a plan that would increase the calcium in your diet.
-
Exercise: If you
have not been exercising on a regular basis, check with your doctor before
beginning an exercise program. It is never too late to introduce exercise
into your life. Weight-bearing exercises are those that work the muscles
against gravity such as: walking, dancing, tennis, and golfing. Choose an
activity you enjoy and have fun!
-
Vitamin D: You
need vitamin D in the body to absorb calcium. Your doctor can check
Vitamin D levels if you have concerns. You can also manufacture this
vitamin as a result of sunlight exposure and fortified milk products. It
is not wise to take vitamin D without consulting your physician.
-
Alcohol and tobacco
abuse: Research has shown that bone density in women who smoke is
lower than in nonsmokers. Alcohol use reduces estrogen levels in women and
testosterone levels in men, and is toxic to the cells that build bone.
Detecting Osteoporosis
There are no early warning
signs for osteoporosis. But it is now possible to measure the density of your
bones with a safe and painless procedure called absorptiometry or
densitometry. If you are at risk of developing osteoporosis, a measurement at
the time of menopause is recommended. Your doctor can advise you whether and
when you should be tested.
Conclusion
There are several steps
that you can take to slow the progression of osteoporosis. Along with
exercise, diet, and hormone replacement therapy, medications have been
introduced that can help reduce bone loss. It is important to discuss these
medications with your doctor. You can live successfully with osteoporosis.
Your body is a miracle--take care of it and enjoy life.
You can decrease your
risk of osteoporosis by consuming an adequate amount of calcium, participating
in weight-bearing exercise, reducing your use of alcohol, and quitting smoking.
Reference
National Osteoporosis
Foundation, The Older Person's Guide To Osteoporosis, Bone Wise. (1991)
(This publication was made possible by a grant from the administration of Aging,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, 20201).
Ohio State University
Extension
Author: Lisa Marie Gibson
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An Aging Issue
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