Health Information for Senior Citizens

 

 

Overview

There are 2 basic clinical types of osteoporosis, primary and secondary. The primary type affects people without any definable cause or underlying medical condition. The secondary form of the disease is caused by a variety of medical conditions and medications. Both types cause weakening of the bones and susceptibility to fractures.

- Information obtained from the Walking Connection

 

Take a look at the Osteoporosis Tutorial.

 

Prevention

There are 4 steps involved with preventing osteoporosis:

• A balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D.
• Weight-Bearing Exercises.
• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake.
• Medication to improve bone density when appropriate.

 

Symptoms

Early on, there may be no symptoms of Osteoporosis, but later there may be signs of dull pain in the bones or muscles. Hip and wrist bone fractures are common and usually result from a fall.

Management/Treatment Options

Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on slowing down or stopping the mineral loss, increasing bone density, preventing bone fractures, and controlling the pain associated with the disease.

Some 40% of women will experience a broken bone (fracture) due to osteoporosis during their lifetime. In those who have a vertebral fracture (in their back), 1 in 5 will suffer another vertebral fracture within 1 year. This condition potentially leads to more fractures. This is called a "fracture cascade." The goal of treatment is to prevent fractures. Here are some suggestions:

• Diet: Young adults should be encouraged to achieve normal peak bone mass by getting enough calcium (1000 mg daily) in their diet (drinking milk or calcium-fortified orange juice and eating foods high in calcium such as salmon), performing weight-bearing exercise such as walking or aerobics (swimming is aerobic but not weight bearing), and maintaining normal body weight.
  
  
• Specialists: People who have spinal, hip, or wrist fractures should be referred to a bone specialist (called an orthopedic surgeon) for further management. In addition to fracture management, these people should also be referred to a physical and occupational therapist to learn ways to exercise safely. For example, someone with spinal fractures would avoid touching their toes, doing sit-ups, or lifting heavy weights.
  
  
• Exercise: Lifestyle modification should also be incorporated into your treatment. Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis.
  
  • Studies show that exercises requiring muscle to pull on bones causes the bones to retain, and perhaps even gain, density.
    
  • Researchers found that women who walk a mile a day have 4-7 more years of bone in reserve than women who don't.
    
  • Some of the recommended exercises include weight-bearing exercise, riding stationary bicycles, using rowing machines, walking, and jogging
    
  • Before beginning any exercise program, make sure to review your plan with your doctor.

Quick Facts

Here are some quick facts about Osteoporosis:

• 44 Million Americans are affected by Osteoporosis.
• Osteoporosis leads to over 300,000 fractures, usually in people 65 and older.
• In the United States, one in two women and one in four men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis-related fracture.
• 80% of those affected are women.
• Osteoporosis is called the "silent disease" since there are few symptoms.

Links To Osteoporosis Information

National Osteoporosis Foundation

National Osteoporosis Society Online

National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Disease