What is Osteoporosis?

The word osteoporosis means porous bone. This condition can develop when the body makes too little or in some cases no bone.  Viewed under a microscope, it's easy to see the honeycomb design rather than solid bone.  When bones lose density and mass, they begin to develop an abnormal tissue structure, become weakened and can break. In most cases, anyone over 50 that breaks a bone will undergo a test for osteoporosis, referred to as a bone density test. 

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Osteoporosis Statistics

• About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.

• Breaking a bone is a serious complication of osteoporosis, especially in older patients. Osteoporotic bone breaks are more likely to occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too. In addition to causing permanent pain, osteoporosis causes some patients to lose height. When osteoporosis affects vertebrae, or the bones of the spine, it often leads to a stooped or hunched posture.

• Osteoporosis may limit mobility, which often leads to feelings of isolation or depression. Additionally, twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year from other complications related to the broken bone itself or the surgery to repair it. Many patients require long-term nursing home care.

• Osteoporosis is responsible for two million broken bones and $19 billion in related costs every year. By 2025, experts predict that osteoporosis will be responsible for approximately three million fractures and $25.3 billion in costs annually.

The cause of osteoporosis

There are a number of health problems that can increase the chances of developing osteoporosis. 

Autoimmune Disorders

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 
• Lupus
• Multiple sclerosis 
• Ankylosing spondylitis 
• Digestive and Gastrointestinal Disorders 
• Celiac disease 
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 
•  Weight loss surgery

Medical Procedures

• Gastrectomy 
•  Gastrointestinal bypass procedures

Cancer

• Breast cancer 
• Prostate cancer 

Hematologic/Blood Disorders

• Leukemia and lymphoma 
• Multiple myeloma 
•  Sickle cell disease

Neurological/Nervous System Disorders

• Stroke 
• Parkinson’s disease 
• multiple sclerosis (MS) 
• Spinal cord injuries

Blood and bone marrow disorders

• Thalassemia

Mental Illness

• Depression 
• Eating disorders

Endocrine/Hormonal Disorders

• Diabetes 
• Hyperparathyroidism 
• Hyperthyroidism 
• Cushing’s syndrome 
• Thyrotoxicosis 
• Irregular periods 
• Premature menopause 
• Low levels of testosterone and estrogen in men

Other Diseases and Conditions

• AIDS/HIV 
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema 
• Female athlete triad (includes loss of menstrual periods, an eating disorder 
• Chronic kidney disease 
• Liver disease, including biliary cirrhosis 
• Organ transplants 
• Polio and post-polio syndrome 
• Poor diet, including malnutrition 
• Scoliosis 
• Weight loss

There are steps one can take to try to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.  Maintaining a proper weight so that added stress and strain is not placed on bones and joints. Getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D in your diet can work to keep bones strong and help prevent the onset of osteoarthritis. 

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Medications that Can Cause Osteoarthritis

• Aluminum-containing antacids 
• Antiseizure medicines (only some) such as Dilantin® or Phenobarbital 
• Aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex®, Aromasin® and Femara® 
• Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs 
• Cyclosporine A and FK506 (Tacrolimus) 
• Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) such as Lupron® and Zoladex® 
• Heparin 
• Lithium 
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception (Depo-Provera®) 
• Methotrexate 
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium®, Prevacid® and Prilosec® 
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Lexapro®, Prozac® and Zoloft® 
• Steroids (glucocorticoids) such as cortisone and prednisone 
• Tamoxifen® (premenopausal use) 
• Thiazolidinediones such as Actos® and Avandia® 
• Thyroid hormones in excess

Many of these medications are commonly prescribed and used by many.  Anyone taking these medications, should take extra precautions to avoid being at a risk of osteoporosis. Studies have shown that getting regular exercise and including techniques such as yoga, for stretching, can lower the risk of developing osteoporosis. Although women are more likely to develop this condition, it can also affect men, usually, over the age of 60. There are medications that can help treat, osteoporosis, and some have proven to be successful in helping to rebuild bone that is lost. 

Anyone over age 50:

• Take a daily calcium supplement 
• Get plenty of calcium from foods, yogurt, milk, certain vegetables 
• Get daily activity that works all muscle groups

If you are in the high risk group of developing osteoporosis, ask about a bone density test annually starting at age 50.  Females that underwent hysterectomies before age 45 are considered high risk, and women that went through menopause prior to age 45 are also considered high risk. 

Osteoporosis cannot be prevented, but with proper care and treatment the effects can be minimized.  For more information, visit the osteoporosis foundation website. 

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