Osteoporosis Management
Osteoporosis
A preventable disabling disease. Osteoporosis effects 25 million Americans annually and is considered the silent killer. 4 out of 10 women are dead within 1 year of sustaining a hip fracture. Osteoporosis patients have a decrease in bone mass, increased bone fragility, and a higher incidence of bone fractures.
Primary Osteoporosis
Bone loss due to normal aging that typically occurs at the time of menopause. Estrogen is the key hormone that regulates or balances bone breakdown and bone formation. When estrogen levels fall that tightly regulated system fails and more bone is broken down than is built up, resulting in Osteoporosis.
Secondary Osteoporosis
Bone loss due to an identifiable cause, such as disease, drug, or immobility.
Factors affecting bone mass:
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Hormone levelsLifestyle
- Daily intake of calcium
- Declining estrogen levels
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Am I at Risk?
Education helps to prevent risk for osteoporosis in some ways which may be obvious - stop smoking, start weight bearing exercise, reduce caffeine consumption and alcohol consumption. Factors you may have no control over could be history of hyperthyroidism, age and race. Whites have the greatest risk, Asians have intermediate risk, while blacks have the lowest risk. Women tend to be at greater risk than men.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteoporosis is made by evaluating the patient's history, a physical examination, and measuring bone density.The most common method utilizes a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry(dexa) machine.
Therapy
The therapy we choose will be based on the underlying cause and amount of bone loss and determining if there is increased bone resorption or decreased bone formation.
Possible therapies might include:
- Treatment with antiresorptive agents such as calcium, estrogen, bisphosphonates, and calcitonin.
- All patients should take a supplemental calcium and Vitamin D supplement.
- Hormone replacement therapy.
- Exercise and modification of behaviors.
