SouthCrest physician speaks out about Osteoporosis

So, it’s not like we don’t have enough to worry about as we progress through the aging process, but now we have to worry about becoming shorter and fragile? The sad truth is if we don’t take charge of our bone health, then aging is going to be more difficult than it has to or should be.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis affects about eight million women and two million men a year in the United Sates. Also, 1.5 million fractures per year are said to be caused by osteoporosis. “Taking action to prevent the onset or even the progression of osteoporosis is a very important step in the aging process,” says Dr. Kala Omstead, board certified family physician at SouthCrest Hospital. “Most people are at risk at some point, so you might as well try to prevent it,” says Dr. Omstead.

What is osteoporosis?  

Osteoporosis, which means porous bones, causes the bone to become so weak and brittle that even the smallest tasks such as bending over or lifting a vacuum can cause a fracture. This typically happens when levels of calcium, phosphorous and other essential minerals are not at levels high enough to keep the bones strong. Osteoporosis is a disease typically perceived as a woman’s disease. However, men are not completely immune. It is never too late or even too early to take preventative action in warding off or stopping the progression of osteoporosis.

 Warning Signs 

Unfortunately, the early stages of bone loss do not present itself with pain or other symptoms for that matter. However, once the bones have become significantly weak, symptoms start to present themselves. Things you might notice are:

• Back pain that can become severe if a fracture is present or a vertebra has collapsed
• Loss of height and a possible stooped posture
• Fractures in common areas such as vertebra, wrists, and hips

 “If you notice any of these warning signs, then it is time to seek medical attention,” says Dr. Omstead.

Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis. Some of those factors include:

• Your sex. More women than men will develop osteoporosis. This usually occurs in women after the onset of menopause.
• Body size.  Those with smaller frames who are exceptionally thin are more susceptible to osteoporosis.
• Age. The older you get, the higher the risk.
• Family history
• Lifetime exposure to estrogen. The more a woman is exposed to estrogen, the lower the risk of osteoporosis. Examples of this include late menopause and menstruation at an earlier than average age. Risks increase if your exposure to estrogen has been deficient due to infrequent menstrual periods or menopause before age 45.
• Low calcium intake. The lack of calcium intake contributes highly to the onset of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake leads to poor bone density which leads to early bone loss.
• Sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise weakens the bones. Exercise is a key factor in developing strong bones, especially weight bearing exercises.

If any of the above applies to you then it is time to make a change and start the prevention process.

Prevention

Getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D is an important factor in reducing your risk of osteoporosis. If you already have osteoporosis, it is still not too late. By getting adequate calcium and vitamin D, as well as taking other measures, you can prevent your bones from becoming weaker. In some cases you may even be able to replace bone you've lost. Other preventative measures include:

• Quit smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Consume adequate levels of calcium
• Consume the appropriate amounts of vitamin D
• Limit alcohol consumption