The inside of a bee hive and your bones have something in common. That’s because the human bone looks something like a honeycomb, with the body constantly depositing new bone and removing old bone. Bone mass usually peaks around age 18 in girls and 20 in boys, at which time the body starts removing more old bone than forming new bone. A person is diagnosed with osteoporosis, which is a very common disease that makes the bones weak and more likely to break easily, when the spaces inside the honeycomb become larger, resulting in decreased bone density and strength.
“Osteoporosis does not cause any symptoms and those with the disease usually do not know they have it until they experience a collapsed vertebra or fracture,” says Nicolas Xydas, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist on the medical staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “It cannot be cured, but osteoporosis can be detected by a painless test and treated through lifestyle changes and medications.”
People at increased risk for developing osteoporosis tend to be those who are women, Caucasian or Asian, over the age of 50, small-boned, and have a family history of the disease. Other risk factors for osteoporosis include regular consumption of alcohol, smoking, and certain medications, including glucocorticoids, thyroid hormone replacement and epilepsy drugs. For these people, a bone density test typically is recommended to identify osteoporosis, determine the rate of bone loss, predict risk for broken bones, and measure effects of treatment. The test, which does not require any preparation, is similar to having an X-ray but with considerably less exposure to radiation.
Dr. Xydas advises patients to focus on treatment for osteoporosis that helps prevent fractures by eating a proper diet, exercising regularly, and taking fall precautions. Medications also may be prescribed to reduce bone loss, increase bone density, or reduce the risk of fracture. A healthy diet includes eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products, dark green, leafy vegetables, sardines, tofu, almonds, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver. People over the age of 50 should get 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 800 to 1,000 IU (International Units) of vitamin D daily.
Weight-bearing exercise can help make bones and muscles stronger and slow down the rate of bone loss. Recommended activities done three to four days a week may include walking, hiking, jogging, playing tennis, climbing stairs or dancing. To reduce the risk of falls, rooms should be kept free of clutter, and carpets and area rugs need to be anchored to the floor. Rubber-soled shoes are suggested for better traction and a cane or walker can help with added stability.
“Osteoporosis is not an unavoidable part of aging. It can be prevented and treated,” adds Dr. Xydas. “Even if you have already been diagnosed with the disease, you can take steps to slow its progression and reduce the risk of falls.”
For more information about risk factors for osteoporosis, take the free, online What Do You Know About Osteoporosis? quiz at www.hnmc.com/OsteoporosisQuiz.