May Is National Osteoporosis Prevention Month
Osteoporosis: The Silent Disease
By Dr. Steven Davis.
There is a silent disease threatening the health of more than 28
million Americans, 80 percent of who are women. It is osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis, otherwise known as porous bone, is a disease that is identified
by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone
fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine, ribs
and wrist. Nearly 1.5 million fractures a year are attributable to
osteoporosis, costing more than $14 billion in medical bills.
The disease is silent because bone loss occurs without any symptoms. It is
not something you physically can see or feel. People may not realize they have
osteoporosis until their bones become so brittle that a sudden strain, bump, or
fall causes a fracture or a vertebrae to collapse.
Although the disease can be found in people of all ages, older women are at
the greatest risk. Women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the
5-7 years following menopause, making them more susceptible to osteoporosis.
Some of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing
osteoporosis are:
- Being female
- Thin and small frame
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Postmenopause
- Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
- A diet low in calcium
- An inactive lifestyle
- Low testosterone levels in men
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive use of alcohol
The most successful way to prevent osteoporosis is building strong bones
during childhood and adolescence because by the age of 20 the average woman has
acquired 98 percent of her skeletal mass. There are four other steps to prevent
osteoporosis, but they must all be applied to prevent the disease. They are:
- A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Weight-bearing exercise
- A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol use
- Bone density testing and medication when appropriate.
Bone density testing is arguably the most important form of detection the
medical world has to uncover the disease. This specialized test measures the
bone density in various sites of the body. These tests can determine your rate
of bone loss and help to detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs. It also
predicts the chances of a bone fracture in the future. The test is most
accurate when performed on people over the age of 35 because that is generally
the age when bone density has reached its peak.
May is Osteoporosis Prevention Month and in recognition of this special
month the Jersey Shore Hospital is sponsoring a free bone density testing at
the Clinton County Expo on May 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Thomas Field House,
Lock Haven University, Lock Haven.
See your local primary care physician to find out more on how to prevent
osteoporosis. If detected early enough, there is medication available that can
help you build bone density and stop this silent disease.
About the Author:
Steven S. Davis, M.D., a Board Certified, Orthopedic Surgeon, joined the
Jersey Shore Hospital Medical Staff in 1997 and also maintains consulting
privileges at LHH. Dr. Davis completed his training at Tripler Army Medical
Center, Honolulu, Hawaii in 1992 and became the Chairman of the Department of
Orthopedics at Jersey Shore Hospital in 1999. He maintains a busy practice with
an office in McElhattan and performs extensive, joint replacement, general
orthopedic and sports injury related surgery at Jersey Shore Hospital. He
resides in Linden with his wife, Carol and 4 children.
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