A Woman's Guide to Osteoporosis

What Osteoporosis Does

Bones may seem hard and unchanging, but they’re actually made of living cells that constantly grow and regenerate. That process breaks down with the onset of osteoporosis, says Seema Maple, M.D., a family practice physician with Sutter Medical Group in Auburn.

“Osteoporosis occurs when existing bone breaks down faster than new bone is made,” she says.

Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Bones naturally have a honeycomb-like structure. In a bone with osteoporosis, the holes and spaces are bigger because the bone has lost density or mass. This can be caused by a wide range of circumstances, including aging, diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disorders, or medications such as steroids or chemotherapy drugs.

The hormone estrogen protects bones. Dropping estrogen levels significantly contributes to rapid bone loss in menopausal women. This change can cause women to lose up to 20% of their bone density within five to seven years of entering menopause, according to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. Women are thought to be more vulnerable also because they have thinner bones than men.

Once you have osteoporosis, you’re at a higher risk of bone fractures, especially in the spine or hip. “Osteoporosis creates a frail frame in the bone that is susceptible to injury, even with minor falls or injuries,” Dr. Maple says. “This can lead to serious complications and even disability in older adults.”

Thankfully, doctors and researchers have discovered several ways to prevent, detect and treat osteoporosis.

Prevention

Women can begin working on osteoporosis prevention as young as their teens. Here are some tips:

• Teens and young adults can build up bone density and strength by getting the recommended amount of calcium and vitamin D through diet, sunlight or supplements. (Visit the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation website for specific recommendations.)
• Exercise to build and maintain bones, focusing especially on weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises. These can include anything from dancing, hiking and tennis to fast walking, elliptical training or lifting weights.
• Avoid smoking or drinking more than one drink a day. Both of these habits accelerate bone loss.
• Wear flat, non-slip shoes to prevent falls.

Detection

If you’re 50 or older or have recently broken a bone, talk to your doctor about taking a bone density test. This noninvasive test uses a special machine to measure bone density in your hip and spine, and sometimes in other bones. A newer technology called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry can measure the exact quantity of calcium in a region of your bones, providing the most accurate method to test bone density. Visit Sutter Diagnostic Imaging for DEXA scan locations near you.

After the test, a board-certified radiologist reads the scan and provides your doctor with the results. You and your doctor can then discuss any lifestyle changes or drug therapies that will be appropriate to help with the disease.

Treatment

Depending on the outcome of your bone density test, your doctor may recommend a medication to prevent, slow or treat osteoporosis. Medications come in various forms ranging from pill to patch to nasal spray or injection. Your doctor will weigh your personal preference, as well as your gender, age and severity of disease, to decide which medication to prescribe.

Because osteoporosis and your risk for falls progress with age, you’ll need to adjust your strategy with time. Taking a proactive approach to osteoporosis will ensure you keep your bones as strong as possible and prevent disabling injuries throughout your lifetime.