Preventing Osteoporosis

May is Osteoporosis Awareness & Prevention Month. Bone is living tissue that is constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis occurs when the creation of new bone doesn’t keep up with the loss of old bone. The regenerative bone process naturally slows as the body ages leaving bones more brittle. Osteoporosis can often lead to bone fractures. The most common fractures occur in the hip, wrist, or spine.

For most adults, peak bone mass occurs around age 35. That’s when bones typically reach their maximum strength and density levels. After that, bone mass begins to decline slowly over the years. This happens for both men and women, but bone density declines at a more rapid pace in women after menopause.

There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms that include:

• Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
• Loss of height over time
• A stooped posture
• A bone that breaks much more easily than expected

Regular exercise (focusing on muscle strengthening and weight-bearing) and a healthy diet with appropriate amounts of calcium and vitamin D are key to strong bones. Other factors that can help avoid osteoporosis include: not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.

One of the key risk factors involved in having osteoporosis is gender. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), one in two women and up to one in four men will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. For women, the incidence is greater than that of heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer combined. 

Approximately 10 million Americans age 50 and older have osteoporosis, and an additional 44 million Americans have low bone density, placing them at an increased risk for bone fractures.

If you’ve fractured a bone and you’re over the age of 50, had an illness that put your bone health at risk, or have taken some medications such as: steroid prednisone, cancer drugs, and drugs used after an organ transplant, you may want to inquire with your medical provider whether a bone scan is right for you. The NOF recommends females of average risk over age 65, and males over 70 years old also have regular bone scans.

A DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is a low dose x-ray that measures the bone mineral density. It is a quick and painless bone scan. You can get a DEXA scan in Onamia at Mille Lacs Health System. Inquire with your primary medical provider if you fall into any of the risk categories or have concerns regarding your bone health.