Osteoporosis. . .

• is a silent disease that occurs without any symptoms
• is a disease of the bone thinning and deterioration, which leads to a substantial number of fractures of the wrist, hip and spine
• is a big problem -- in the U.S. alone, 8 million women have osteoporosis and millions more have low bone density

Facts you should know:

• Peak bone mass occurs by age 30 in women and men
• Women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the first 5-7 years after menopause
• More than half who survive a hip fracture will need long-term care and 20% do not survive the first year due to complications from that fracture
• A Bone Mineral Density test is the best test currently available to detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs
• It is preventable and treatable

Risk factors for osteoporosis:

• Cigarette smoking*
• Personal history of a non-traumatic fracture as an adult*
• Family history of osteoporosis or fractures in an adult family member*
• Small body size (less than 127 pounds)*
• Caucasian and Asian women
• Early menopause (less than 40 years old)
• Postmenopausal
• Over the age of 50
• Low lifetime intake of calcium and vitamin D
• Immobility or lack of adequate exercise
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Eating disorders
• Steroids used to treat asthma, arthritis and other conditions
• Taking seizure medications
• Excessive amount of thyroid hormone
  * Primary risk factors

What can I do?

• Get enough calcium (1,200 to 1,500 mg each day from food and supplements)
• Get enough vitamin D
• 30-60 minutes of resistance/weight-bearing activity, 5-7 days a week
• Stop smoking
• Cut down on caffeine
• Cut down on alcohol
• Consider medications for prevention and/or treatment, if appropriate
• Talk with your health care provider about whether a bone densitometry is right for you

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