Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become fragile and susceptible to fractures. These fractures occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist. A fracture or broken bone can have a huge impact on your life, causing disability, pain, or loss of independence.

Osteoporosis Diagnosis

The best method to diagnose osteoporosis is a bone mineral density test, called a DEXA scan. The results of your bone density test will give you a T-score. The T-score compares your bone density with that of an average healthy young adult of your sex. Below you will see how to interpret your T-score.

• Above -1 = Your bone density is considered normal
• Between -1 and -2.5 = Your score is a sign of osteopenia, a condition in which bone density is below normal and may lead to osteoporosis 
• Below -2.5 = Your bone density indicates you have osteoporosis

Osteoporosis shows no early symptoms, thus a routine checkup should be undertaken by both men as well as women. Osteoporosis is more prevalent in people who have had a family history related to the disease, heavy alcohol, and/or cigarette consumption, steroid medication, little or no exercise, and also in those individuals who show low levels of estrogen (females) or testosterone (males).

Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

In the past osteoporosis was thought of as a women’s disease. Now we know that men also have to worry about weak bones and are at risk of osteoporosis.

These factors can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis:

• Your Sex– Fractures from osteoporosis are about twice as common in women as they are in men.
• Age– Your bones become weaker as you age.
• Race– Caucasian and Southeast Asians have a greater risk of osteoporosis, Black and Hispanic men and women have a lower but still significant risk.
• Family History– Having a family member with osteoporosis puts you at greater risk as osteoporosis is genetic.
• Body Size– Individuals who are thin or have small body frames have a higher risk because they have less bone mass.
• Smoking– Research has shown that tobacco use contributes to weak bones.
• Breast Cancer– Women who have had breast cancer are at increased risk of osteoporosis, especially if they were treated with chemotherapy
• Diet– A diet lacking in calcium plays a major role in the development of osteoporosis.
• Lack of Exercise– Exercise throughout life is important, but you can increase your bone density at any age.
• Alcohol Abuse– Long term alcohol abuse reduces bone formation and interferes with the body’s ability to absorb calcium

Check in next Monday to learn about osteoporosis prevention and increasing your bone health.