Health Management Center
Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become fragile and easily broken,
affects about 20 million Americans, primarily women. It usually occurs at the
onset of menopause or thereafter. Research indicates that although osteoporosis
is relatively common, awareness of the disease among women is low. For that
reason, ConnectiCare would like to provide you with some information about
osteoporosis.
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In the first five to seven years after menopause, you can lose up to 20% of
your bone mass.
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Bones become thin, brittle and more likely to fracture. It’s why so many women
in their later years suffer from fractures of the hip, spine and wrist.
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Because osteoporosis starts as a silent disease, most women don’t know they
have it until they experience their first painful and debilitating fracture.
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Fractures from osteoporosis include over 250,000 hip fractures, over 250,000
wrist fractures and over 700,000 spinal fractures each year. Many of these
fractures can lead to permanent disabilities.
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In the past, osteoporosis could only be diagnosed after a woman suffered a bone
fracture. But, thanks to the development of the bone mineral density test
(BMD)—a non-surgical, painless procedure—physicians can now identify women at
risk before a fracture occurs and help prevent future bone fractures.
Bone mineral density test – Who should have one?
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All postmenopausal women under age 65 who have one or more additional risk
factors for osteoporosis (besides menopause, see below Osteoporosis risk
factors*)
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All women age 65 and older, regardless of additional risk factors
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Postmenopausal women who present with fractures, including stress fractures
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Women who are considering therapy for osteoporosis, if BMD testing would
facilitate the decision
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Women who have been on HRT for osteoporosis in order to monitor the response to
therapy
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Individuals who sustained a low-impact fracture (i.e.) a fracture occurring
spontaneously or from a fall at a height no greater than the patient's standing
height, including fragility fractures occurring from activities such as a
cough, sneeze or abrupt movement.
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Individuals on long-term steroid therapy
*Osteoporosis risk factors:
Caucasian or Asian race (although African Americans and Hispanic Americans may
be at significant risk as well); History of osteoporotic fracture after age 50;
Current low bone mass; Current cigarette smoking; Estrogen deficiency; History
of chronic steroid use; History of primary hyperparathyroidism;
Hyperthyroidism; Family history of osteoporosis; History of eating disorders;
Low lifetime calcium intake; Poor health/frailty; Small body frame (BMI < 20
or weight <127 lbs.); Inactive life style; Excessive alcohol intake (females
> 14 drinks per week, males > 20 drinks per week); Organ transplant;
Vertebral abnormalities, as demonstrated by x-ray, to be indicative of
osteoporosis, low bone mass, or vertebral fracture; Diagnosis of: Ulcerative
colitis, Crohn's Disease, Celiac/Sprue
Prevention
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Adequate Calcium intake*:
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adult women — 1000-1200 mg
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adult women (peri-menopausal, menopausal/hypoestrogenic on ERT) — 1200 mg
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adult women (menopausal/hypoestrogenic not on ERT) — 1500 mg
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Adequate Vitamin D intake* (400 - 800 IU per day)
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Regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises have shown to be an
integral part of osteoporosis prevention as well as a part of the treatment
process
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Smoking cessation
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Limit alcohol intake, this will help protect bone health and reduce the risk of
falls
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Preventing falls may helps reduce fractures and fracture risk
Ask your doctor what would work best for you.
