Having just succumbed to my second thoracic vertebrae (spinal area) fracture in 3 1/2 years, I thought it only fitting to discuss this unfortunately common malady found among seniors. The word, osteoporosis, is derived from the ancient Greek, osteo, meaning “porous bone.” It indicates an increase in size of the honeycombed display of small spaces inside the normally healthy bone. The occupant of the weakened bones may then, more likely through a fall, produce a break or fracture in the hip, wrist, or spinal area. About 54 million Americans are living with osteoporosis or with the low bone mass (osteopenia) that puts them at risk for the disease. One medical source puts ten million adults or 80% women actually having the extremely low bone density disorder known as osteoporosis. Other studies suggest that this bone deterioration includes half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50. WebMD explains that “Broken bones (1.5 million yearly) in older age (especially) can reduce mobility and independence and lead to isolation and depression. Hip breaks (350,00 yearly) significantly raise an older adult’s risk of death within a year.”
How and when does this hormonal aided dysfunctioning of the bone tissue in your body occur? Centegra Health System (CHS) tells us that “Bone is living, growing tissue. It is made mostly of collagen, a protein that provides a soft framework, and calcium phosphate, a mineral that adds strength and hardens the framework.”
Bones and teeth contain more than 99% of the body’s calcium. Removal of old bone (resorption) and formation of new bone occurs throughout our lifetime. Maximum bone density and strength is finally reached by the age of 30. CHS continues, “After that time, bone resorption slowly begins to exceed bone formation.” Centegra adds, “Osteoporosis is more likely to develop if you did not reach optimal peak bone mass during your bone-building years.”
Men in their 50s do not experience the rapid bone mass loss that women do in the years following menopause. However, by 65 or 70, both men and women do lose bone mass at the same rate. This means that the absorption of the essential nutrient for a lifetime of bone health, calcium, then decreases in both sexes.
While some adults do not share risk factors for the bone-thinning condition, many do. There are several risk factors that cannot be changed. However, other risk factors can be altered.
The following are risk factors that cannot be changed:
1. Gender: Being a woman
2. Your age: The older you are, the thinner and weaker your bones become
3. Your body size: small, thin-boned women are more likely at risk
4. Ethnicity: Caucasian and Asian women are highest at risk
5. Family history: This condition may in part be due to heredity.
The following are risk factors that can be changed:
1. Sex hormones: Abnormal absence of estrogen and testosterone levels is a problem needing medical help
2. Anorexia nervosa: An irrational fear of weight gain can keep weight too low
3. Calcium and vitamin D intake: If too low of consumption, these two lifetime diet items need to be increased
4. Medication use: Certain meds such as steroids and anticonvulsants need to be controlled, if possible
5. Lifestyle: If not being done regularly, make an effort to get out of bed and exercise
6. Cigarette smoking: This habit is bad for the bones, heart, and lungs
7. Alcohol intake: Excessive consumption increases risk for fractures.
Part 2/3: Prevention, symptoms, detection, treatment/fall prevention, research for next publications
