| Osteoporosis is a chronic condition of the bone | | | | weight, low calcium and Vitamin D intake, alcoholism, |
| where the bone mineral density is lower and the | | | | sedentary lifestyle and poor health. |
| micro-structure of the bone is disordered making the | | | | Restoring the micro-structure of the bone can be |
| bone weaker. Osteopenia is a thinning of the bone, | | | | difficult once you start experiencing a decline in bone |
| but not severe enough to meet the criteria for | | | | density. Trabecular and cortical are the two types of |
| osteoporosis. Bones which have lost their mineral | | | | bone. Trabecular bone appears sponge-like and is at |
| density are at higher risk for fracture. | | | | the core of long bones while the cortical bone is the |
| Bone density scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray | | | | hard exterior shell. When a decline in bone density |
| absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA) or bone | | | | begins it is the trabecular bone that demonstrates |
| densitometry, is a special form of x-ray technology | | | | the most bone loss. The hip bone, spine and wrists |
| that is used to measure bone loss. DEXA is | | | | are the areas of the body which have the most |
| considered the standard for measuring bone mineral | | | | trabecular bone and are at the greatest risk for a |
| density. | | | | loss of bone density and osteoporosis related bone |
| The T-score is the most significant scoring system in | | | | fractures. |
| postmenopausal women and reflects a patient's bone | | | | If you have suffered a bone fracture, related to |
| density compared with healthy, white women | | | | osteoporosis, you are at higher risk for subsequent |
| between the ages of 20 and 29 years of age. | | | | fractures. It is estimated that about 20 percent of |
| T-scores less than or equal to -2.5 at the hip, femoral | | | | those suffering a hip fracture die within a year. The |
| neck, or lumbar spine are diagnostic of osteoporosis. | | | | risk of death is usually related to other complications |
| In the past our concern has been primarily on the | | | | associated with osteoporosis and fractures. A hip |
| loss of bone density in women. Osteoporosis was | | | | fracture will often result in decreased mobility and an |
| primarily a concern in postmenopausal women over | | | | additional risk of pulmonary embolism. A Pulmonary |
| age 50. It is now known that some men experience | | | | embolism is a blood clots that travels to the lung and |
| a decline in their bone mineral density as they age, if | | | | obstructs blood flow. The blood clot usually originates |
| they require chronic use of corticosteroids, or suffer | | | | in the lower extremity of someone suffering a |
| hypogonadal conditions. | | | | fracture or injury to the lower extremity. The |
| Prevention is the most important way to reduce the | | | | consequences of the embolism can be chest pain, |
| risk of osteoporosis related fractures. Bone mass | | | | respiratory distress and even death. |
| density peaks between 25 and 35 years years of | | | | Osteoporosis also affects the spine, resulting in an |
| age. Physical activity during your teenage years has | | | | increase in curvature. This increased curvature may |
| the greatest impact in reducing your risk of | | | | affect your ability to breath appropriately and |
| osteoporosis later in life. In adults physical activity can | | | | increase your risk of falling. Compression fractures of |
| help maintain and actually increase bone mass density. | | | | the spine can result in severe pain, and prolonged |
| The higher the peak value of your bone density at | | | | hospitalization. |
| age 25 the lower your bone loss will be as you age. | | | | Osteoporosis is a disease that crosses gender, age, |
| A loss of bone density occurs due to an imbalance | | | | social and economic barriers. Everyone is potentially at |
| between bone resorption (which normally occurs) and | | | | risk for developing osteopenia or osteoporosis. It is |
| bone formation. In someone with a decline in their | | | | imperative that you take the steps necessary to |
| bone density, bone is reabsorbed more quickly or it is | | | | improve your health, exercise, maintain an adequate |
| formed at a slower rate than necessary to prevent a | | | | intake of calcium and vitamin D. The DEXA scan will |
| decline in bone density. Many cases of osteoporosis | | | | help you determine your baseline bone density. |
| do not result from inadequate calcium intake, but | | | | Medications are available to help slow down bone loss |
| from other factors such as cigarette smoking, | | | | and increase bone mineral density. |
| sedentary lifestyle, family history, age over 30, and | | | | Osteoporosis is not a disorder that you should delay |
| complications related the use of some medications. | | | | in taking the steps to treat. Optimizing your bone |
| The risk factors that cannot be changed include a | | | | density can take time and the earlier you begin, the |
| family history, a history of a bone fractures as an | | | | lower your risk of developing osteoporosis as you |
| adult, advanced age or European or Asian ancestry. | | | | age. This will also lower your risk of fractures, |
| The risk factors that you can change include | | | | complications related to fractures and possibly death. |
| prolonged use of corticosteroids, smoking, low body | | | | |