| What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition in | | | | of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women is on |
| which a progressive loss of bone density causes | | | | the rise. For example, it is estimated that the disease |
| bones to be weak and fragile and increases the risk | | | | affects 75 million older women in U.S, Europe, and |
| of fracture. Postmenopausal osteoporosis typically | | | | Japan. In the United States, an estimated 30 million |
| occurs after menopause in women between the | | | | older women have osteoporosis or low bone density. |
| ages 51 and 75, but it can also occur earlier or later. | | | | Each year, 1.5 million osteoporosis-related fractures |
| The main cause of the disease is lack of estrogen, | | | | occur in U.S, and the direct health care costs |
| the primary hormone that promotes bone formation | | | | associated with these fractures are estimated at $18 |
| in women. | | | | billion per year. Nearly half of all women and a quarter |
| In adults, bones are continuously broken down and | | | | of men age 50 and older will suffer an |
| rebuilt in a process called remodeling. Before age 30, | | | | osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining |
| the body builds more bones than are broken down | | | | lifetime. Furthermore, osteoporosis and low bone |
| and as a result, bone mass progressively increases | | | | mass are now believed to be a major public health |
| during this period. In women, estrogen regulates this | | | | threat for 44 million Americans aged 50 and older. By |
| bone building process. Women achieve peak bone | | | | 2010, that number is expected to increase to over |
| mass in their 20s and gradual bone loss begins in their | | | | 52 million. |
| 30s. After menopause, estrogen production declines | | | | Although postmenopausal osteoporosis is a silent |
| drastically, and this reduces a woman's ability to form | | | | disease, it exhibits classic symptoms namely fractures |
| new bones. As a result, bone loss accelerates. It is | | | | of the arm, vertebrate, and the hip. In U.S, |
| estimated that women lose up to 2% of their bone | | | | osteoporosis-related hip fractures account for 300, |
| mass each year after menopause, especially in the | | | | 000 hospitalizations each year. About 20% of |
| first 3 - 6 years after menopause. | | | | postmenopausal women who suffer a hip fracture |
| We have known for decades that the risk of | | | | die within a year, and another 20% of these patients |
| postmenopausal osteoporosis for every woman is | | | | will be in a nursing home within one year. |
| not the same. White and Asian women are at | | | | Without a doubt, the new statistics reveal an |
| greater risk of osteoporosis that Black and Hispanic | | | | epidemic of osteoporosis among postmenopausal |
| women. Thin women are particularly susceptible to | | | | women. In the United States, 30 million women have |
| the disease because they have smaller bones than | | | | osteoporosis or low bone mass. By 2010, the disease |
| heavier women, even in their 20s when their bones | | | | will become a major public health threat for 52 million |
| are at their strongest. Secondly, they have less fat | | | | Americans, most of whom are women. What worries |
| than heavier women. It is believed that fat tissue | | | | experts is the ability of the disease to "sneak up" on |
| activates certain parts of estrogen. So, women with | | | | its victims. This explains why millions of women with |
| less fat have reduced ability to activate estrogen. | | | | the disease are unaware that they have it and as a |
| The combined effects of these two features | | | | result, they remain untreated. This is a wake up call |
| increase bone turnover in thin women later in life. | | | | and women should take steps to protect themselves |
| What the new statistics reveal is that the incidence | | | | from this debilitating disease. |