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Fractures are fear for seniors
Rapid Increase of Seniors with Osteoporosis Under
Attack by U.S. Surgeon General
Issues first surgeon
general report on bone health in history
Oct. 14, 2004 – Exactly
how many millions of older Americans suffer from osteoporosis may be
uncertain but the U.S. surgeon general issued a new report today that
says this problem is going to get substantially worse – fractures due to
the condition – action is not taken immediately by those at risk,
doctors, health systems and policymakers.
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"With healthy nutrition, physical activity every day, and
regular medical check-ups and screenings, Americans of all ages
can have strong bones and live longer, healthier lives." |
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This new report, "Bone
Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General" says that 10
million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, the most common
bone disease, while another 34 million are at risk for developing
osteoporosis. Each year, roughly 1.5 million people suffer a bone
fracture related to osteoporosis. U.S. Surgeon General Richard H.
Carmona warned that by 2020, half of all American citizens older than 50
will be at risk for such fractures.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), which
says osteoporosis affects an estimated 44 million American men and women
age 50 and older applauded the release of the first Surgeon General's
Report on Osteoporosis and Bone Health in this nation's history. One in
two women and one in four men in this age group will break a bone due to
osteoporosis. Annually, osteoporosis is responsible for more than
300,000 broken bones, costing the nation $17 billion, according to the
NOF.
"This report is a milestone in the field of
osteoporosis and bone health," said Bess Dawson-Hughes, M.D., president,
NOF and Professor of Medicine and a member of the Endocrine Division at
Tufts University. "This report brings together all the advances we have
seen, offering patients, the public and healthcare professionals the
opportunity to improve their understanding of disease risk factors,
prevention steps and treatment options, making it easier for them to
take the steps they need to protect their bone health."
Osteoporosis and other
bone diseases, such as Paget's disease and osteogenesis imperfecta can
lead to a downward spiral in physical health and quality of life,
including losing the ability to walk, stand up, or dress, and can lead
to premature death.
"This report will shape
the way we approach, talk, and act about bone diseases," HHS Secretary
Tommy G. Thompson said. "The more we learn, the more we realize that so
many diseases are preventable, from obesity, to many types of cancer,
and now bone disease. I want to thank Dr. Carmona and all the scientists
and researchers who worked on this report. I look forward to the impact
this new information will make in the health of communities."
Other findings in the
report include:
About 20 percent of senior citizens who suffer a hip fracture die within
a year of fracture.
About 20 percent of individuals with a hip fracture end up in a nursing
home within a year.
Hip
fractures account for 300,000 hospitalizations each year.
The
direct care costs for osteoporotic fractures alone are already up to $18
billion each year. That number is expected to increase if action to
prevent osteoporosis is not taken now.
"Osteoporosis isn't just
your grandmother's disease. We all need to take better care of our
bones," Dr. Carmona said. "The good news is that you are never too old
or too young to improve your bone health. With healthy nutrition,
physical activity every day, and regular medical check-ups and
screenings, Americans of all ages can have strong bones and live longer,
healthier lives. Likewise, if it's diagnosed in time, osteoporosis can
be treated with new drugs that help prevent bone loss and rebuild bone
before life-threatening fractures occur."
According to the new
report, osteoporosis is a "silent" condition because many Americans are
unaware that their bone health is in jeopardy. In fact, four times as
many men and nearly three times as many women have osteoporosis than
report having the condition. One of the most dangerous myths about
osteoporosis is that only women need to worry about bone health.
Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, and while bone weakness
manifests in older Americans, strong bones begin in childhood.
The Surgeon General's
report is a call for Americans to take action to improve and maintain
healthy bones. The report includes recommendations on what Americans can
do to decrease the likelihood of developing osteoporosis.
These recommendations
include:
Getting the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D. High levels of
calcium can be found in milk, leafy green vegetables, soybeans, yogurt
and cheese. Vitamin D is produced in the skin by exposure to the sun and
is found in fortified milk and other foods. For individuals who are not
getting enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet, supplements may be
helpful. The average adult under 50 needs about 1000mg of calcium per
day and 200 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D (one cup of vitamin D
fortified milk provides 302 mg of calcium and 50 IU of Vitamin D).
Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active at least 30
minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for children, including
weight-bearing activities to improve strength and balance.
Taking steps to minimize the risk of falls by removing items that might
cause tripping, improving lighting, and encouraging regular exercise and
vision tests to improve balance and coordination.
"I always worried about
heart disease and cancer, but was never concerned about the health of my
bones," said Abby Perelman, who is being treated for osteoporosis. "I
wish I knew then what I know now -- that a healthy diet and physical
activity can make bones stronger and healthier."
The report also calls on
health care professionals to help Americans maintain healthy bones by
evaluating risks for patients of all ages, recommending bone density
tests for women over the age of 65 and for any man or woman who suffers
even a minor fracture after the age of 50. In addition, the report calls
on health care professionals to look for "red flags" that may indicate
that someone is at risk, including people who are under 50 who have had
multiple fractures, or patients who take medications or have a disease
that can lead to bone loss.
"All health care
professionals need to be aware of the early indicators of bone disease,"
said Dr. Lawrence Raisz of the University of Connecticut Health Center,
one of the scientific editors of the report. "Many of my patients had no
idea their minor fracture was an indication of a larger problem. The
health care system can do a better job of helping patients protect
themselves from bone disease."
In addition to the
release of the report, the Surgeon General has published a companion
"People's Piece" specifically written for the American people. The
magazine-style, full-color booklet offers ready-to-use information on
how people can improve their bone health. This is the second People's
Piece that Dr. Carmona has produced as part of his commitments to
improving the health literacy of Americans and providing the best
scientific information available in a way that everyone can understand
and use to live longer, healthier lives. The first People's Piece
discussed the health consequences of smoking and was released in May
2004.
The free People's Piece,
The 2004 Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What
It Means To You, is available by calling toll free 1-866-718-BONE or
visiting
www.surgeongeneral.gov.
"Thirty years ago,
doctors thought weak bones and osteoporosis were a natural part of
aging, but today we know they are not. We can do a lot to prevent bone
disease," said Dr. Carmona. "Everyone has a role to play in improving
bone health, and this report is a starting point for national action on
bone health. Let's get started by taking action today in homes, health
care settings, and communities across our nation."
"Despite these staggering numbers, most people do
not realize their personal risks of developing osteoporosis or suffering
a related fracture. This report serves as a wake-up call to the American
public to action now to minimize the risks of this disease," said Judith
Cranford, NOF executive director. "Osteoporosis may be a silent disease,
but we cannot afford to be silent about it."
As the nation's leading voluntary health
organization solely dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health, NOF
encourages all individuals to:
-- Get their daily recommended amounts of calcium
and vitamin D;
-- Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise;
-- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol use;
-- Talk to a doctor about bone health and have a
bone density test and take medication when appropriate.
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
