Osteoporosis

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis (os-tee-oh-po-ROH-sis) is a life-long disease that causes bones to become weak, brittle, and more likely to fracture (break). Your body normally makes new bone as old bone is reabsorbed (used up). Calcium and phosphorous, minerals found in food, are needed to make bone. Osteoporosis occurs when your body reabsorbs more bone than it makes, and when you do not have enough minerals in your body.

What causes osteoporosis?

Not having enough calcium and estrogen (female hormone) are the most common causes of osteoporosis. The following are risk factors for osteoporosis:

• Age: Everyone loses bone mass as they age. The body builds less new bone to replace old bone after the age of 35. The older you are, the more likely you will develop osteoporosis.
  
  
• Estrogen: Estrogen keeps women's bones strong. A woman's body makes much less estrogen after menopause (change of life). Exercising too much and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, also decrease estrogen.
  
  
• Gender: Women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis but men can be affected.
  
  
• Illnesses: Some illnesses, such as thyroid diseases, bone cancer, and long-standing lung diseases, may increase the risk of having osteoporosis.
  
  
• Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking or drinking too much alcohol or coffee for a long time. Not exercising regularly or being inactive weakens your bones.
  
  
• Medicines: Steroids, anticonvulsants, and blood-thinners.
  
  
• Nutrition and body size: Eating poorly and not eating enough food that contain calcium and vitamin D. Being small, thin, or having thin bones may also increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
  
  
• Race: Being Caucasian or Asian, or having fair skin.

What are the signs and symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis does not usually cause symptoms in its early stages. As the disease worsens, your bones become weak and brittle. You may break a bone after a sudden strain, bump, or fall. A break usually occurs in the hip, spine, or wrist. A collapsed vertebra (bone in your spine) may cause severe back pain, spinal changes, or loss of height with stooped (bent over) posture.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Blood and urine tests: Caregivers will learn how much calcium, vitamin D, and thyroid hormone you have in your body from these tests.
  
  
• Bone density test: Another name for this test is bone densitometry. The test uses a special x-ray to check for early signs of osteoporosis. It compares your bone density to what is expected for someone of your same age, gender, and race.
  
  
• Other imaging tests:
  
  
  • Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a "CT" or "CAT" scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your bones. The CAT scan will show if you have decreased calcium levels in your bones.
    
    
  • Bone x-ray: Pictures of your bones will help caregivers learn if you have broken bones. Bone x-rays can also show if any of your vertebrae have collapsed onto one another.

How is osteoporosis treated?

Medicines for osteoporosis help prevent bone loss and increase bone density which can decrease the risk of spine and hip fractures.

• Bisphosphonates: These medicines increase your bone density and may decrease the risk of future fractures.
  
  
• Calcitonin: This medicine helps to get calcium into new bone.
  
  
• Hormone replacement therapy: This is also called "HRT". You may be given a hormone called estrogen. Caregivers will monitor you closely while you use this medicine.
  
  
• Selective estrogen receptor modulators: These medicines have an estrogen-like effect on your bones and may be used to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

How can osteoporosis be prevented?

You can prevent osteoporosis through healthy lifestyle habits.

• Do not drink too much alcohol: Alcohol is in beer, wine, liquor, such as vodka and whiskey, and other adult drinks. Alcohol decreases bone mineral density. If you drink alcohol, talk to your caregiver about ways to limit your alcohol intake.
  
  
• Do not smoke.
  
  
• Eat foods rich in calcium: Good sources of calcium are milk, cheese, broccoli, tofu, almonds, and canned salmon and sardines.
  
  
• Exercise regularly: Weight-bearing exercises such as jogging, walking, and stair climbing are good exercises for your body.
  
  
• Get enough vitamin D: Vitamin D is in fish oils, such as cod liver oil, some vegetables, and fortified milk, cereal, and bread. Vitamin D is formed in the skin from being exposed to the sun. Try to get out in direct sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week.
  
  
• Avoid caffeinated drinks: Caffeine may be found in some coffees, teas, sodas, and chocolates.

How can fractures from osteoporosis be prevented?

• Avoid falls:
  
  
  • Hold the railing when using stairs.
    
    
  • If you are unsteady on your feet, use a cane, a walker, or have someone help you walk.
    
    
  • Keep away from icy streets, sidewalks, and wet or waxed floors.
    
    
  • Keep the inside of your home well lit at night.
    
    
  • Remove things that could make you trip, such as loose rugs or electrical cords.
    
    
  • Wear low-heeled, soft-soled shoes.
  
  
• Avoid motions and activities that require straining: These activities may include lifting heavy objects. When picking things up, bend at the hips and knees. Never bend from the waist. Do not twist your back while lifting.
  
  
• Wear padded hip protectors to prevent hip fractures.

Where can I find support and more information?

Osteoporosis is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have osteoporosis may be hard. You may want to join a support group which is a group of people who also have osteoporosis. Contact the following for more information:

• National Osteoporosis Foundation
  1150 17th Street NW, Suite 850
  Washington , DC 20036
  Phone: 1- 202 - 223-2226
  Phone: 1- 800 - 231-4222
  Web Address: http://www.nof.org
  

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have bone pain.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about osteoporosis, your medicine, or care.

When should I seek immediate care?

Seek immediate help or call 911 if:

• After using medicine to treat osteoporosis, you have new or worsening heartburn or trouble swallowing.
  
  
• You have severe pain in your chest or back, or in your bones, muscles or joints.
  
  
• You have increasing pain after a fall.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Osteoporosis