Osteoporosis
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is the term used to describe low bone density. This means that the usually strong, solid structure of bone begins to develop 'holes' or 'thin' areas. These thin bones are very brittle and prone to breaking, so can fracture with very little force.
After the age of 50, the lifetime risk of a fracture related to osteoporosis is 47% for women and 27% for men. About 50% of those people with a fracture will have another. Unfortunately, most people don't realize they have osteoporosis until they have a fracture. Fractures can cause significant loss of function, mobility and independence.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis in essence is a natural process as we age, but there are several factors that increase its severity. Calcium, regular weight-bearing activity, and our body's natural hormones are the main factors that maintain good bone density. Anything in our lifestyle or make-up that reduces or inhibits these factors is a risk factor for osteoporosis, such as:
- Low calcium: adequate calcium intake is essential from childhood to early adulthood to build strong bones and to maintain bone density from there on
- Sedentary lifestyle: bones like exercise. They respond to the stress of weight-bearing exercise (e.g. walking, jogging, weights, dancing) by becoming stronger. Staying active is one of the best things you can do to prevent weak bones.
- Poor diet: high caffeine intake, high alcohol intake and high soft drink intake are all factors that inhibit calcium absorption.
- Smoking.
- Lack of oestrogen: oestrogen naturally protects against weakening of the bones. After menopause, women have a much higher risk of loosing bone density and developing osteoporosis. Other causes of decreased oestrogen such as anorexia or high physical activity will have similar effects.
- Medical history: long-term steroid use is associated with decreased bone density. Conditions such as celiac disease and chronic liver and kidney disease affect the absorption of calcium. Ask your Holdsworth House doctor about your current medical conditions and their impact on your bone health.
- Family history: if osteoporosis and fractures are part of your family medical history, this can increase your risk.
- Low Vitamin D: this is another essential component of calcium absorption. Most people have enough Vitamin D from the amount of sun exposure they get on a normal day to day basis.
Osteoporosis has silent symptoms. If you are concerned about osteoporosis, see your Holdsworth House doctor to discuss your risk and what you can do to minimize it.
How is Osteoporosis diagnosed?
Osteoporosis is diagnosed by an X-ray test to measure bone density; The Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or DEXA scan.
This scan usually looks at the hip and spine and uses a formula to determine the level of bone density as normal, low (osteopenia), or very low (osteoporosis).
How is Osteoporosis managed?
This depends on the results of bone density testing, if there has been a fracture or not, the number and severity of risk factors, as well as past and current medical history. A lot of improvement can be made by the individual taking control of their risk factors: increasing weight-bearing activity, eating lots of calcium-rich foods, reducing caffeine and cutting down or stopping smoking.
Your doctor may prescribe medication, especially if there has been a fracture. Where medications are used, there is good supportive research behind them.
Osteoporosis is easily diagnosed and managed, so speak to your Holdsworth House doctor. Know your osteoporosis risk factors, and how to control them, in order to keep good bone health.
- Phillips, P. and Braddon, J. (2004). Osteoporosis – diagnosis, treatment and management. Australian family physician, 33(3), 111 – 119.
- Osteoporosis Australia. (2011). About Osteoporosis. Retrieved 02/06/2011, from http://www.osteoporosis.org.au/about/about-osteoporosis/what-is-osteoporosis/
- Phillips, P. and Braddon, J. (2004). Osteoporosis: patient education. Australian family physician, 33(3), 140