No Bones About It!
By Joanna Bruno, M.D.

Over ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and 34 million individuals have low bone mass, called osteopenia. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. These abnormalities of the bone predispose individuals to fractures, especially of the hip, spine, ribs, and wrist. These and other fractures can significantly impact a person's quality of life and independence.

Osteoporosis affects postmenopausal women more commonly than men because of the loss of estrogen, which maintains healthy bones prior to menopause. However, men can also be affected; in fact, two million men are estimated to have osteoporosis in the U.S. As men age, they too can lose beneficial hormonal balance.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include low body weight, advanced age, family history of osteoporosis, smoking, low lifetime calcium intake, excessive alcohol intake, premature or surgical menopause without hormone replacement, certain medications, and physical inactivity. Sometimes osteoporosis is associated with certain vitamin deficiencies due to malabsorption of vitamin D or calcium, or because of undetected parathyroid or kidney disease.

Osteoporosis and osteopenia are treatable! There are several ways to detect osteoporosis, but most commonly, your physician will order a bone density exam. This noninvasive exam has even less radiation exposure than a simple x-ray. With this information, you and your physician can make a decision about treatment options. Several oral medications are available, and there are now injections for people with severe disease or who are unable to take the pills. Treating osteopenia and osteoporosis with medications is very effective in reducing fractures–up to 50% reduction.

You can optimize bone health and help prevent osteoporosis with a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises, and a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol intake. Bone density testing and medication, when appropriate, are also important. Be sure to talk to your physician about bone health.

Dr. Joanna Bruno is a board-certified internist who takes special interest in diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, preventive medicine, thyroid disease, and women's health. To learn more, please call 330-433-1555.