Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disorder characterized by the progressive loss of bone mass density which causes bones to become weak, fragile and susceptible to fracture.
Osteoporosis occurs five times more often in women
Our internal skeletal system…
Our bones are living tissues.
When we are young and still growing, during childhood and adolescence, the body builds its ‘bone bank’ to help fortify the body’s skeletal architecture during adulthood. Bone cells (osteoclasts) create bone tissue faster than its being reabsorb (osteoblasts). Proper nutrition, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are advocated to give a growing body every advantage.
Because we have an internal skeletal system, our bones constantly remodel (break down and rebuild) throughout our life.
In adulthood, living bone renews itself by breaking down old bone and replacing it with new.
Different types of bone cells are each responsible for forming, maintaining, and reabsorbing bone tissue. By doing this we keep our bones healthy and new. Osteoclasts resorb portions of old bone and osteoblasts follow to form an organic matrix of minerals that become new bone.
Young adults typically reach their peak bone mass in their 20s. Both men and women then start to lose that bone density steadily over the years that follow.
Osteoporosis
Develops without warning…
This metabolic disorder is characterized by the progressive loss of bone mass density.
It predominantly affects the thoracic and thoracolumbar regions of the spine. This can cause loss of height and stooped posture call Kyphosis. Weakening of the wrist or hip bone can increase the risk of fractures from simple falls.
One of the dangers of osteoporosis is that there are no outward symptoms to warn you until you already have the disease.
Osteoporosis occurs five times more often in women than in men. Women are more at risk for osteoporosis earlier in life than men because of estrogen levels.
Estrogen helps control the breakdown of bone. But when a woman goes through menopause, the amount of estrogen in her system is greatly reduced. Less estrogen means the osteoclast, which is the cell that breaks down bone, can work at a faster pace than the osteoblast, which is the cell responsible for building and repairing our bones. This uneven divide results in a net loss of bone density. This type of loss happens at accelerated levels until a woman’s body adapts to the new normal of lower estrogen.
As we get older, bones lose density or calcium within the bone, a condition called osteoporosis. Loss of calcium within the bones can make them thin, brittle, and weak. These changes can increase the risk of fractures.
Risk Factors for Osteoporosis
Factors you can’t control
- Genetics – your family history
- Female – five times higher risk
- Race- Asian and Caucasian
- Body type- small stature or thin
- Medical Conditions
Factors you can control
- Poor Diet
- Lack of Physical activity
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco use
- Medication
The providers at County Obstetrics & Gynecology treat women through all phases of life. We encourage pre and post menopausal women to talk to one of our specialists about osteoporosis.
F.A.Q.
Prevention starts early
Start paying attention to your bone health now. You need to be thinking about your bone health throughout your entire adult lives and not wait until the elderly years.
Young adults typically reach their peak bone mass in their 20s. Both men and women then start to lose that bone density steadily over the years that follow. Avoid bad habits that will accelerate bone loss, like drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
Crucial in maintaining bone health. Don’t be afraid of the weights at the gym. The nature of the exercise you want to do to help your bones is something that loads the bone, like jumping for the hips or push-ups for the wrists.
Weight-bearing exercises can help keep bones strong. Weight-bearing exercises are activities that are performed while standing and that require your muscles and bones to work against gravity.
Activities like walking and swimming are great for our heart health but do not stimulate our bones.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that healthy adults get 150 minutes of exercise a week, which works out to be about 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Strength training helps to increase bone mass before menopause and slows bone loss after menopause and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
It’s important to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. These provide the body with antioxidants that help protect bone density. In addition, your bones benefit from nutrients like calcium, protein, vitamin D and potassium. Good sources of calcium include dark, leafy greens, like spinach, kale, and collards; dairy foods, such as yogurt, milk, and cheese; and canned fish with soft bones, including salmon and sardines. You can increase your intake of vitamin D by eating foods fortified with vitamin D (orange juice, cereal, and milk). You also can get vitamin D by being in the sun for 15 minutes a few days a week.
Calcium 1000-1500 mg daily
Vitamin D 2500-5000 i.u. daily