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Osteoporosis

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones.” Simply stated – osteoporosis is a condition in which the bone mass or density is less than would be expected for a person of a given age. Peak bone density is reached at about age 30. Initial bone loss occurs slowly with more rapid loss for women after menopause when there are decreased levels of estrogen present in the body, and, for men, after the age of 65. Bone loss may first occur in the spongy bones of the hip, spine, and wrist. The loss of bone mass causes one to become fragile and subject to fracture. Often referred to as the “silent disease,” osteoporosis develops slowly, over the course of many years, and may not be revealed until a fracture occurs.

Medical experts estimate that 28 million Americans may be affected by osteoporosis or osteopenia (the early stages of osteoporosis). Although women account for 80% of osteoporosis cases in the United States, this life threatening disease crosses both genders, and all ages, lifestyles, and ethnic groups.

The consequences of osteoporosis may be life with disability and, in the extreme, life threatening. Bone loss is the cause of 90% of all hip fractures. As many as 25% of hip fracture patients die within a year of the fracture. Of the survivors, half will require assistance with walking and one quarter will need nursing home care.

Signs and Symptoms

The first sign of osteoporosis is usually a fracture that may occur without a fall or trauma to the fracture site. Wrist fractures are very common in the presence of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis may also cause generalized aches, pains and discomfort when sitting or standing, loss of height, often associated with curvature of the spine or Dowager’s Hump, and unexplained tooth loss and loosening of dentures.

The Key to Prevention

Of the things you can do to improve your bone health, exercise is one of the most powerful. A program of regular exercise that provides a training stimulus with forces greater than those provided by routine activity will result in healthy bone, improved muscular strength and power, better balance, postural stability, and improved ability to recover from instability.