What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. Literally meaning “porous bone,” it results in an increased loss of bone mass and strength. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain. Generally, it is not discovered until weakened bones cause painful fractures.
Though osteoporosis occurs in both men and women, women are four times more likely to develop the disease than men. More than 24 million women in the United States are affected by this disease. It accounts for 1.3 million fractures a year, mostly of the hip, wrist and spine.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent osteoporosis from ever occurring. Treatments can also slow the rate of bone loss if osteoporosis is present.
What causes osteoporosis?
Though we do not know the exact cause of osteoporosis, we do understand how the disease develops. Your bones are made of living, growing tissue. An outer shell of cortical or dense bone encases trabecular or spongy bone. The inside of healthy bone resembles a sponge. When osteoporosis occurs, the “holes” in the “sponge” grow larger and more numerous, weakening the internal structure of the bone.
In addition to supporting the body and protecting vital organs, bones store calcium and other minerals. When the body needs calcium, it breaks down and rebuilds bone. This process, called “bone remolding,” supplies the body with needed calcium while keeping the bones strong.
Up until about age 30, a person normally builds more bone than he or she loses. After age 35, bone breakdown outpaces bone buildup, resulting in a gradual loss of bone mass. In a person with osteoporosis, bone mass is lost at an accelerated rate.
Who is most at risk for developing osteoporosis?
There are many risk factors which, when present, increase your chance of developing osteoporosis.
- Gender – Women over the age of 50 have the greatest risk of developing osteoporosis. Women experience rapid bone loss during and 5 to 10 years after menopause. Menopause decreases the production of estrogen, a hormone which protects against excess bone loss.
- Age – Your risk for osteoporosis increases as you age.
- Race – Women of Caucasian and Asian descent are more likely to develop osteoporosis.
- Bone Structure and Body Weight – Petite and thin people have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis because they have less bone to lose than people with more body weight and larger frames.
- Family History – If your parents or grandparents have had any signs of osteoporosis, such as a fractured hip after a minor fall, you may have a greater risk of developing the disease.
- Nutrition – You are more likely to develop osteoporosis if your body lacks sufficient amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
- Lifestyle – People who lead sedentary lifestyles have a higher risk of osteoporosis.
- Medications – Certain medications result in side effects that may damage bone and lead to osteoporosis.
- Smoking – Increases risk
How can I prevent osteoporosis?
Your diet and lifestyle are two important risk factors you can control to prevent osteoporosis. Replacing lost estrogen through hormone replacement therapy also provides a strong defense against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Diet
To maintain strong, healthy bones, a diet rich in calcium is needed throughout your life. Your need for calcium becomes even greater as you age.
The U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) for calcium is 1,000 milligrams per day. Postmenopausal women who are not taking estrogen should get 1,500 milligrams per day. One cup of skim or 1 percent fat milk contains 300 milligrams of calcium. Besides dairy products, other good sources of calcium are salmon with bones, sardines, kale, broccoli, calcium-fortified juices and breads, dried figs and calcium supplements.
Vitamin D is also important because it enables the body to absorb calcium. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 200 I.U. (international units). Vitamin D can easily be obtained by getting 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight a few times a week or by consuming fortified milk.
Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the degree of bone loss. Establish a regular exercise program and avoid excessive use of alcohol and tobacco. Exercises that make your muscles work against gravity (such walking, jogging, aerobics and weight lifting) are best for strengthening bones.
How can I know if I have osteoporosis?
Painless and accurate medical tests can provide you with information about your bone health before problems begin. Bone Mineral Density tests (BMD tests), or bone measurements, are X-rays that use very small amounts of radiation to determine the bone density of the spine, hip, wrist or heel. Your physician can order these tests for you.
How is osteoporosis treated?
Treatments for established osteoporosis include:
- Estrogen replacement therapy
- Medications – Calcimar (calcitonin-salmon), Fosamax (aledronate sodium) and Evista (raloxifene)
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
- Weight-bearing exercise
For more information, contact:
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Osteoporosis Clinic: 216.444.5632;
800.223.2272 ext. 4-5632
National Osteoporosis Foundation:
800.223.9994
This information is provided by Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace
the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.
Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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