| Basic Information |
|
| Description |
|
Loss of normal bone density, mass and strength, leading to increased thinning and
vulnerability to fracture. It most often affects women after menopause. 20 million American
women may have osteoporosis or be at risk for it.
|
|
| Frequent Signs and Symptoms |
Early symptoms:
- Headache.
- No symptoms (often).
Late symptoms:
- Sudden back pain with a cracking sound indicating fracture.
- Deformed spinal column with humps.
- Loss of height.
- Fractures occurring with minor injury, especially of the hip or arm.
|
|
| Causes |
Loss of bony structure and strength. Factors include:
- Prolonged lack of adequate calcium and protein in the diet.
- Low estrogen levels after menopause.
- Decreased activity with increased age.
- Smoking (possibly).
- Use of stetoid (cortisone) drugs.
- Prolonged disease, including alcoholism.
- Vitamin deficiency (especially of vitamin C).
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Cancer.
- Genetic predisposition.
|
| Risk Increases With |
- Surgery to remove the ovaries.
- Radiation treatment for ovarian cancer.
- Poor nutrition, especially inadequate calcium and protein.
- Body type. Thin women with a small frame are more susceptible.
- Family history of osteoporosis.
- Smoking.
- Heavy drinking of alcohol.
- Long-term use of cortisone drugs.
- Use of thyroid medications.
|
| Preventive Measure |
- Hormonal replacement therapy starting at menopause.
- Ensure an adequate calcium intake up to 1500 mg a day with milk and milk products or
calcium supplements.
- Regular exercise, such as brisk walking (which is weight-bearing), which is better for
preventing osteoporosis than swimming (nonweight-bearing).
- Seek medical advice about taking estrogen, calcium and fluoride after menopause begins or
the ovaries have been removed.
- Avoid risk factors where possible.
|
| Expected Outcome |
|
Diet, calcium and fluoride supplements, vitamin D, exercise and estrogen can halt and may
reverse bone deterioration. Fractures will heal with standard treatment.
|
| Possible Complications |
|
Falls that cause bone fractures, especially of the hip or spine. Sometimes a bone will break
or collapse without injury or fall.
Severe, disabling pain.
|
| Treatment/Post Procedure Care |
|
| General Measures |
- Medical tests include bone x-rays and bone density studies.
Treatment goals are directed to relieving pain and preventing any fractures and sometimes,
rebuilding bone.
- Avoid all circumstances which may lead to injury. Stay off icy streets and wet or waxed
floors. Hold banisters when using stairs, and make sure banisters are sturdy.
- If estrogen is prescribed, get regular medical pelvic exams and Pap smears. Examine your
breasts for lumps once a month. Report any vaginal bleeding or discharge.
- Use heat or ice in any form to ease pain.
- Sleep on a firm mattress.
- Use a back brace, if prescribed.
- Use correct posture when lifting.
- Avoid mind altering medication, such as sedatives or tranquilizers, which may cause falls
and fractures.
- Additional information available from the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1150 17th St.,
Suite 500 NW, Washington, DC 20036, (800) 223-9994; web site http://www.nof.org.
|
| Medication |
- For minor pain, you may use nonprescription drugs such as acetaminophen.
- Calcium, vitamin D supplements, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or fluoride may be
prescribed.
- Other medications that can slow bone loss or increase bone growth may be prescribed also.
|
|
| Activity |
|
Stay active, but avoid the risk of falls. Exercise is important, especially weight-bearing
exercise, such as walking or running, to maintain bone strength.
|
|
| Diet |
|
Eat a well-balanced diet high in protein, calcium and vitamin D or a reducing diet if you are
overweight.
|
|
| Notify Your Healthcare Provider If |
- You or a family member has symptoms of osteoporosis.
- Pain develops, especially after injury.
- New, unexplained symptoms develop, such as vaginal bleeding. Drugs used in treatment
may produce side effects.
|