The Facts About Osteoporosis
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become thin, weak and break easily. Although you can break a bone in any part of your body, the most common broken bones are the spine, wrist or hip. Osteoporosis is called a "silent disease." You can't feel or see your bones getting thinner. Many people do not even know that they have thin bones until a bone breaks. A broken bone can interfere with your daily activities and can have serious consequences.
What happens when bones break?
A broken bone in your spine is called a vertebral fracture. It is the most common break that occurs as a result of osteoporosis. A vertebral fracture may affect many parts of your body besides the broken bone itself. Fractures of the spine can change your appearance by causing loss of height, a curving of the shoulders and back, and a thickening waistline. You may notice that your clothing does not fit the same way. Your shirts and jackets may pull across your back. The hemlines of your skirts and pants may not hang properly. It is often difficult to find comfortable, stylish clothes. Sometimes back pain occurs. Depending on the location and severity of the spinal fractures, individuals may experience difficulty breathing and stomach pain or digestive discomfort. In the year following a vertebral fracture, almost 20% of women will experience another spine fracture.
Fractures of bones in the wrist, arm, leg, pelvis or ribs can cause substantial pain and temporary disability. Surgery, casting or splinting may be required.
The worst consequences of osteoporosis follow a broken hip. Hip fractures most often occur in adults over the age of 70. Almost all people who have hip fractures require surgery to repair the broken bone. A broken hip may lead to a loss of independence. Following surgery, it is common for individuals to need help from family, friends or healthcare professionals with daily activities such as bathing, dressing and shopping. Complications from surgery can be serious. In fact, after surgery some people require skilled nursing care at a long-term facility and sadly, some individuals even die.
Since the consequences of a fracture can be so debilitating, it is important to consult with your medical professional to assess your risk for osteoporosis and related fractures. Early detection of osteoporosis is important to reduce the risk for fracture. However, you are also never too old to be treated for osteoporosis. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and getting adequate vitamin D, engaging in regular exercise and making healthy lifestyle choices will promote healthy bones. See "Promoting Healthy Bones". In addition to following the steps to promote healthy bones, if you are at risk for fracture, your doctor may also recommend that you take an osteoporosis medication.
How common is osteoporosis?
In 2002, there were almost 44 million women and men in the United States with either osteoporosis or low bone mass, a condition of thinning bones that increases an individual's risk for developing osteoporosis. In New York State alone, 3 million men and women have osteoporosis or low bone mass. You might ask yourself whether you are one of them. In the United States, nearly one of every two Caucasian or Asian women over age fifty will experience a fracture as a consequence of osteoporosis. Men and women of other ethnic groups have a slightly lower but still substantial risk for facture.
Is osteoporosis a normal part of aging?
While it is typical to lose some bone mass as you age, it is not normal to develop osteoporosis, to experience painful fractures or to lose more than 1-1/2 inches of height. Osteoporosis may be prevented, is easily diagnosed and can be treated.
(c) Helen Hayes Hospital/NYS Department of Health - 11/03