Osteoporosis

Summary

Produced in cooperation with the National Osteoporosis Foundation, this video focuses on how to prevent osteoporosis. It describes how osteoporosis develops along with the risk factors. The video presents essential elements for maintaining healthy bone: calcium, vitamin D, exercise, avoiding harmful substances, and medications to prevent and treat osteoporosis including the newest medications, Risedronate (Actonel®) and parathyroid hormone, (Forteo®). It also addresses bone density and steps to prevent falls in those already diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Details

Disease that makes bones so weak that they fracture easily.

More women than men are affected by Osteoporosis.

Prevention is crucial against Osteoporosis.

What happens as our bones age:

• Throughout adulthood, bone is constantly being broken down and rebuilt
• This is called remodeling
• Rebuilding needs to exceed breaking down for bones to be strong
• Bone building is its highest during teen years
• Bones hit maximum strength around age 30
• Bone loss then begins due to breaking down of bone exceeding bone building
• Bone loss then continues throughout life
• Osteoporosis develops when so much bone is lost that they become very fragile

Risk factors for Osteoporosis

Risk factors we can’t control

• Being female
• Being Caucasian or Asian
• Having a thin, small-boned stature
• Having a family history of osteoporosis
• Having a personal or family history of a fracture as an adult
• Having an early menopause

Risk factors we can control

• Smoking
• Not getting enough calcium and Vitamin D in your diet
• Lack of exercise
• Consuming large amounts of alcohol
• The use of certain medications
• Eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia

Calcium

• Needed to maintain strong bones
• If you don’t get enough, your body will take calcium from your bones
• Most women need 1000 mg of calcium per day
  • Women in menopause should get between 1000 and 1500 mg/day
  • After age 65, you’ll need 1500 mg/day
• Dairy products contain a lot of calcium
• Other sources include:
  • broccoli
  • sardines with bones
  • canned salmon with bones
  • tofu
  • soybeans
  • many dark green leafy vegetables
  • calcium fortified products like Orange juice and breads and cereal
• You may need to take a calcium supplement if you can’t get enough calcium through your diet

Vitamin D

• Body needs vitamin D to use calcium
• Sunshine vitamin
  • You get enough if you spend 10-15 minutes out in the sun each day
• You can also get it from a multi-vitamin and by drinking vitamin D milk

Exercise

• Weight bearing and resistance exercises help build and maintain bone
• Examples are:
  • walking
  • jogging
  • aerobic dancing
  • racquet sports
  • weight training
  • dancing
  • stair climbing
• Walking is great because everyone can do it
• Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day
• Consult a physician before beginning an exercise program especially if you have risk factors for osteoporosis

Eliminating Harmful Habits

• Smoking
  • Causes earlier menopause
  • Quitting smoking will lower your risk for osteoporosis as well as many other health problems
• Alcohol – limit yourself to 1 or 2 drinks per day
• Medications
  • Certain prescription medications speed bone loss
  • Most commonly is glucocorticoids, steroids
  • Talk with your doctor about steroids effect on your bones and how to minimize this effect

Medications

• Alendronate, Fosamax and risedronate, Actonel
  • prevent fractures and strengthen your weakened bones
  • take on empty stomach and don't lie down for 30 minutes after taking
• Calcitonin, Miacalcin
  • In addition to helping prevent bone loss, it may help reduce pain caused by fractures
  • Naturally occurring hormone, available as nasal spray
• Estrogen, female hormone
  • After menopause, your body sharply decreases production
  • Bone loss accelerates after menopause
  • Loss of estrogen also occurs if your ovaries are surgically removed or you exercise so intensely that you stop menstruating
  • Estrogen therapy is available, however, there are reports of serious side effects
  • Talk with your doctor about other options
• Parathyroid hormone (Forteo)
  • Anabolic steroid that builds new bone
  • For people with serious osteoporosis
• Raloxifene, Evista
  • helps prevent bone loss or treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal women
    

Diagnosing

• Bone Density testing, if you are:
  • Are over the age of 65, regardless of risk factors
  • Are under the age of 65, post-menopausal, and have another risk factor of osteoporosis besides menopause; or have a history of a fracture
• Bone densitometry
  • uses specialized X-rays to directly measure the density of your hip and spine bones
• Other tests:
  • blood and urine testing for biochemical markers

Treating

• Take same steps as before:
  • Calcium
  • Vitamin D
  • Exercise
  • Eliminating harmful habits
  • Taking medications if prescribed
• Prevent falls:
  • Place railings wherever you need them
  • Don't climb on chairs, stools or ladders
  • keep frequently used things in an easy-to-reach place
  • Make sure you have no loose rugs or dangling cords that may cause you to trip
  • Don't walk around in the dark; use nightlights or a flashlights