Osteoporosis is very common, especially among women, but is not completely understood. However, it’s still possible to minimize your risk factors for developing the degenerative bone disease. Today, we’ll sort through the facts and myths of osteoporosis.

What is osteoporosis? The term means ‘porous bones’. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones gradually weaken and become more likely to break or fracture. This can occur anywhere in the body, but

Is there a difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia? The difference is one of degree. In both conditions, bone mass is lost. But a person with osteoporosis has lost more bone mass than a person with osteopenia; the deterioration has  progressed farther. Many doctors consider osteopenia a precursor to osteoporosis.

The diagnosis and treatment of osteopenia have been somewhat controversial. Critics have argued that osteopenia occurs with normal aging, and that it is defined arbitrarily.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is sometimes called a ‘silent disease’, because there are very few symptoms in the early stage. This means that patients shouldn’t wait until they have problems to speak with their doctors about osteoporosis – because the first problem might be a broken hip or spine.

How common is osteoporosis? Fairly common. In the US today, over 10 million people have osteoporosis, and over 18 million people have low bone mass. About half of women and a quarter of men over 50 will break a bone due to ?osteoporosis at some point in their lives.

The disease will become a public health issue of greater prominence as the American population ages. At this rate, over 41 million people will develop osteoporosis by 2015.

What causes osteoporosis? Unfortunately, we don’t yet know the ultimate causes of osteoporosis. We do know that it has something to do with a disruption of the normal bone remodeling process. Your bones are constantly under construction – older bone tissue is broken down and reabsorbed by your body, while newer tissue is built.

In a normal, healthy person, bone is built up faster than it’s broken down until about age 30, at which point the tide turns and bone mass begins to decrease – but at a rate that doesn’t cause problems.. In a person with osteoporosis, this process seems to break down, such that too much bone mass is lost and bone fragility becomes a serious risk.

Can anybody get osteoporosis? Yes, but some people are more likely to develop osteoporosis than others. Here are the factors that put you at risk:

- Sex: Women are more likely to get osteoporosis. About 80 percent of American with osteoporosis are women.

- Age: Although it can strike at any age, osteoporosis is more likely to affect people over 50 years of age.

- Race: People of European and Asian descent appear more likely to suffer osteoporosis than people of African-American, Native American, and Latino backgrounds.

- Family History: If someone in your family has osteoporosis, it’s more likely that you will too.

- Body size: Small, thin people run a higher risk than their counterparts.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed? A diagnosis requires a comprehensive medical evaluation, the centerpiece of which is a DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) scan. A DEXA is a specialized type of X-ray which doctors use to assess your bone density. If your bone density is low enough, and if other causes of bone loss can be ruled out (such as vitamin D deficiency), osteoporosis may be diagnosed.

How is osteoporosis treated? There are several ways to fight osteoporosis, and to prevent it in the first place. The most important factors include:

- Exercise! Weight-bearing exercise is one of the most important things a person can do to protect against osteoporosis. Bone is a living tissue like muscle. And just like a muscle, working your bone tissue helps keep it strong. A program of regular, moderate exercise (45 minutes’ worth, three or four times per week) can decrease your rate of bone loss. The most commonly recommended exercises include walking, jogging, hiking, climbing stairs – anything that gets you up and moving around will help.

- Nutrition: Bones are largely made of calcium and some other minerals. A diet that protects you against osteoporosis needs a good amount of calcium and vitamin D. Calcium is found in dairy products, leafy greens, nuts and seeds. Vitamin D allows your body to absorb the calcium you eat. Your body creates vitamin D when you spend time in the sunshine, but many foods are also fortified with it. Consult a doctor or nutritionist for advice on building a bone-healthy diet.

- A healthy lifestyle: Beyond exercise and good nutrition, several lifestyle factors can play a big role in preventing osteoporosis. Avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine intake and (of course) not smoking can help keep your bones strong. Also, women who are post-menopausal experience a drop in estrogen, which increases the risk of bone loss. Hormone replacement therapy, which replaces the dropping estrogen  levels, can help ward of osteoporosis. It’s not recommended for everyone, though.

- Medication: There are a number of medications on the market to combat the effects of osteoporosis. They tend to be used as a last resort when preventive treatments aren’t enough.

Who should get a bone density test? According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, anyone meeting the following criteria should get regular bone density scans:

- Any woman who is postmenopausal and has one or more of the osteoporosis risk factors.

- Any woman who is postmenopausal and has had a bone fracture in the past.

- Any women over age 65.

How can I find a doctor to discuss my bone health? Easy. Talk with a physical therapist about a good exercise plan, a preventive medicine specialist about your nutrition, or make an appointment just to get a bone-density scan. We’re happy to help you get on the right track.