Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention

Lunch n Learn Series

May 2007

OSTEOPOROSIS

• Osteo= bone

• Porosis = porous

• Disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures especially of the ? and ? and ?

• Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55% of the people over 50

• In the U.S., 10 million people already have the disease

• 34 million more have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis

Question

• Of the 10 million people who have osteoporosis how many

• ????Are women

• ????Are men

FRACTURES

• One in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime.

• Osteoporosis is responsible for 1.5 million fractures annually.

SO WHAT!?!

• Osteoporotic fractures lower a patient’s quality of life.

• The estimated national direct expenditures (hospitals and nursing homes) for osteoporotic hip fractures was $18 billion in 2002 and the cost is rising.

SYMPTOMS

Osteoporosis is a silent disease

A sudden strain, bump or fall causes a fracture

Severe back pain, loss of height and kyphosis (Dowagers Hump)

RISK FACTORS(factors that increase the likelihood of developing

osteoporosis and fractures)

• Personal history of fracture after age 50

• History of fracture in a first degree relative

• Being female

• Being thin and/or having a small frame

• A family history of osteoporosis

• Estrogen deficiency

RISK FACTORS• Abnormal or absence of menstrual periods• Anorexia nervosa• Low lifetime calcium intake• Vitamin D deficiency• Use of certain medications• An inactive lifestyle• Current cigarette smoking• Excessive use of alcohol• Being White or Asian (although African

Americans and Hispanic Americans are at risk as well)

DETECTION

• Specialized tests called bone mineral density (BMD) tests can measure bone density in various parts of the body

• During the month of May, we are offering free DEXA scans!! Please call 280-BONE before May 31st to set up an appointment

Osteoporosis Research Center

TREATMENT

• Alendronate = Fosamax

• Alendronate Plus = Fosamax with Vit D

• Ibandronate = Boniva

• Risedronate= Actonel

• Parathyroid Hormone= Forteo

PREVENTION

Senile osteoporosis is a pediatric disease

Charles E. Dent, 1972

• Until the age of 30 you can build and store bone efficiently

• Then, as part of the natural aging process, your bones begin to break down faster than new bone can be formed

• By about the age of 20, the average woman has acquired 98% of her skeletal mass

• Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later

• Think of your bones as a saving account

4 STEPS TO BONE HEALTH

Step 1: A diet rich in calcium

HOW MUCH CALCIUM ARE

YOU GETTING?

NUTRITION LABELS

• 30% Calcium= ? milligrams

• 20% Calcium= ? milligrams

• 100% Calcium= ? milligrams

Step 2: A diet rich in Vitamin D

How Much Sunlight Exposure is Needed?

Exposure to hands, face, arms, or back to suberythemal doses 1-2 times/wk in spring, summer, and fall.

One minimal suberythemal dose is that dose that causes minimal redness.

Sunscreen should be applied after initial suberythemal dose.

Step 3: Weight bearing and resistance training exercises

Step 4: A healthy lifestyle

No smokingModerate alcohol consumption

THE ENDThank you!