THE WOMEN’S HEALTH GROUP, P.C.

9195 Grant Street, Suite 410, Thornton, CO 80229

Phone: 303-280-2229 (BABY)

300 Exempla Circle, Suite 470, Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone: 303-665-6016

www.whg-pc.com

Osteoporosis, which means “porous bones”, is a condition of excessive skeletal fragility in which bones break easily.   It leads to millions of fractures every year, mainly in the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis affects mostly older women, but can affect young women and men, too.  It is estimated that one in three women will suffer a vertebral fracture in their lifetime.   The long-term consequences of a fracture are decreased mobility, chronic pain, and even death due to complications of an injury.

Osteoporosis is diagnosed routinely by a bone scan, or DEXA scan.  These are usually performed on postmenopausal women, but may be ordered earlier if a patient has specific risk factors that make her especially susceptible to osteoporosis.

There are three things every woman can do to either prevent osteoporosis or help maintain her bone density if she has been diagnosed with osteoporosis.  These include diet modification, exercise, and cessation of smoking.

Postmenopausal women should ingest 1500mg of calcium and 800IU of vitamin D daily, which helps the body absorb calcium.  Calcium can be obtained through diet alone, or through a combination of diet and calcium supplements.  Vitamin D can also be obtained through diet and by sun exposure.

Regular exercise has been shown to maintain bone density and reduce the risk of hip fracture.  “Weight bearing exercise” is often promoted as a means to prevent osteoporosis.  Walking qualifies as weight bearing exercise and is something every woman can do on a regular basis.

Smoking cigarettes accelerates bone loss, and therefore quitting tobacco can only help maintain bone density.

Women who are at a high risk for a bone fracture are candidates for drug therapy.  Doctors will often make their recommendations based on a patient’s risk factors and the results of their DEXA scan.  If a woman has a history of a hip or vertebral fracture, has any of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis (Caucasian or Asian race, slim build, family history, excessive alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, or advanced age), or if her bone density test is consistent with osteoporosis or osteopenia (a precursor of osteoporosis), her doctor will likely recommend medication .

There are several options available to treat osteoporosis and your doctor can discuss these with you.