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Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Common Myths about Osteoporosis Explored by
University of Michigan Health Minute
Expert helps adults bone up on risk factors,
prevention and treatment
May 14, 2007 - You’re not the same person you were
10 years ago. In the span of a decade, most people experience changes in
their personal life, career, style and – bone structure? Yes, your bones
are constantly at work clearing out old bone cells and making new ones
in their place, resulting in an entirely new skeleton every 10 years.
Unfortunately, as people age, bones break down
faster than they are replaced, which can cause them to become thin and
fragile. For millions of Americans, a disease called osteoporosis leads
to a progressive loss of bone mass over time, putting them at an
increased risk for bone fractures and other complications.
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“Osteoporosis can result in disability, loss of
independence, even death,” says Liselle Douyon, M.D., an endocrinologist
at the University of Michigan Health System. The disease is considered a
major public health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, and
roughly 10 million already have the disease. While osteoporosis is quite
common, Douyon says it is still a condition that is widely
misunderstood.
To help people understand who is at risk for the
disease, as well as ways to prevent and treat it, Douyon clears up some
common myths about osteoporosis.
Seven myths – and facts – about osteoporosis
MYTH: Only women get osteoporosis
FACT: “Although there are many more women who may develop this
condition, there’s also a very significant portion of men who have this
disease,” Douyon says. In fact, roughly 2 million men suffer from
osteoporosis, accounting for 20 percent of those diagnosed with the
disease.
MYTH: Osteoporosis is a normal part of aging
FACT: “It is a fact that you lose bone density with aging,” agrees
Douyon. “But you should continue to have good bone strength, and you
should not develop osteoporosis.”
MYTH: Osteoporosis is only a concern for the
elderly
FACT: It is never too early to begin thinking about strong bones.
“Good bone health is something that starts early in life,” says Douyon.
Your bones begin building density from infancy through young adulthood.
Most people have reached maximum bone density by age 35. “If maximum
bone density is not achieved during that time, you will be at risk for
developing osteoporosis,” Douyon cautions.
MYTH: Osteoporosis is strictly hereditary
FACT: While women with a family history of osteoporosis are at an
increased risk of developing the disease, “not having a family history
does not mean that you are immune to having this condition,” says Douyon.
Everyone is susceptible.
However, there are several factors that can make an
individual more likely to develop osteoporosis. “Certain kidney
diseases, vitamin D deficiency, some hormonal diseases such as some
thyroid disorders, Cushing’s syndrome, individuals who are treated with
steroids for certain medical conditions, and certain types of cancer can
contribute to osteoporosis,” she says.
MYTH: Broken bones are the only way to tell if
you have osteoporosis
FACT: Because osteoporosis has no symptoms, most people are not
aware that they have it until something happens, like a bone fracture.
However, this is not the only indicator of the disease.
“Even people who don’t have broken bones may
develop osteoporosis. Many people may not even know they had a broken
bone, and they may develop a change in their posture or a loss in
height,” Douyon explains.
To help determine whether bone loss has begun, it
is important to get a bone density test every few years, especially for
women who have entered menopause. The most common method of measuring
bone density is a DEXA scan, which is a painless X-ray of your hip and
spine.
MYTH: Osteoporosis cannot be prevented
FACT: Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence is the
best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life. Adults can
take steps too to lower their risk of developing the disease. “In order
to prevent osteoporosis, it’s very important that one has adequate
nutrition, good calcium intake, exercise, and adequate vitamin D
supplementation,” says Douyon.
Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging,
lifting weights and dancing are the best for building strong bones.
People who already have osteoporosis should avoid these exercises, as
they increase the risk of breaking a bone.
Calcium intake is very important, too. Douyon
recommends calcium supplementation throughout the entire lifespan,
especially for women. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake also
will lower your chances of developing osteoporosis.
MYTH: Only osteoporosis medications can prevent
future bone loss
FACT: The FDA has approved certain medications to prevent and/or
treat the disease. “Medications alone, however, do not help to build
bone,” Douyon cautions.
“It’s only one of the things that can be done in
order to rebuild or prevent future bone loss.”
Most of the drugs inhibit the cells that break down
bone, and one actually stimulates the growth of new bone. Unfortunately,
these drugs haven’t been available for very long, so their long-term
effects are not known and people should not rely on them alone.
“People who are on medications for osteoporosis
still have to take calcium and vitamin D,” says Douyon. In addition,
“For some women, over-the-counter calcium isn’t enough. They need more
than that, and this is something they really need to discuss with their
doctor.”
For more information, visit these Web sites:
UMHS Health Topics A-Z: Osteoporosis
National Osteoporosis Foundation
University of Michigan Health System
Original report by Marissa Mann
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