Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention
Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones as they become more porous; aka the ‘silent disease’
-begins in childhood, requires a bone-healthy diet and plenty of exercise
-for women, early prevention is especially important until age 50, when the protective effect of estrogen is lost.
Factors that CANNOT be changed:
Age >50 (aging is inevitable)
Gender (women at greatest risk)
Family History
Previous Fractures
Menopause/hysterectomy
Medications -proton pump inhibitors (antacids), antidepressants, anxiolytics, steroids (long term),chemo agents, thyroid hormone
Medical conditions- RA, COPD and asthma, diabetes, amenorrhea
Factors that you CAN change
Alcohol intake (women < 1 drink/day; men < 2 drinks/day)
Smoking
Low body weight BMI <19
Poor nutrition
Vit D deficiency
Eating disorder
Inactivity
Low dietary Calcium and Vitamin D
Testing when and how
Women with low force mechanical fractures hip, spine and wrist fractures are common; red flag for osteoporosis
Women with h/o amenorrhea or eating disorders
>65 years of age
Post menopausal
How?
FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool)
DEXA Bone Scan (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry)
Rating: T-score -1.0 and above is normal
Prevention and Management
Diet rich in calcium and Vit D
Weight-bearing exercise i.e. lifting weight, climbing stairs, dancing, hiking, and other anti-gravity exercises
Lessen alcohol intake
Quit smoking
Treatment
Medications -calcium, Vit D, Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, zoledronic acid) Raloxifene and bazedoxifene Teriparatide and abaloparatide Denosumab Romosozumab Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)*
Weight-bearing exercise/activity
Are you at risk for osteoporosis? Take the questionnaire!
Check out this segment of 'Feel Good Fridays' which aired LIVE on July 31, 2020 on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Medicina-Del-Sol-LLC-106071261014495/
Reference
Switzerland; Nyon. International Osteoporosis Foundation (July 31, 2020) Retrieved from
https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/patients/about-osteoporosis
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