OSTEOPOROSIS - THE SILENT DISEASE
      What You Need to Know to Protect Your Future

WHAT IS OSTEOPOROSIS?
Osteoporosis is a disease in which acceleration of the body's normal bone loss causes weak, brittle bones. Bones thin without any symptoms until they become so fragile that routine activities - a bump, a cough, a hug - can cause a fracture. Every year osteoporosis results in 1.5 million fractures, taking a huge personal and economic toll. But for most people, osteoporosis does not need to happen. You can protect yourself against bone loss.

WHAT CAUSES OSTEOPOROSIS?
Normally bone growth balances bone loss until people reach their 30s. After that, bone becomes thinner as more bone is being broken down than can be built up. There are more than 100 diseases which can cause or contribute to the loss of bone mineralization. All persons, if they live long enough, will suffer bone demineralization, but it is particularly prevelant in post-menopausal women. During menopause, hormonal changes - specifically, decreasing levels of estrogen - speed up bone loss. Severe bone loss results in osteoporosis, a condition that untreated can lead to progressive bone loss.

WHAT EFFECTS CAN IT HAVE?
Unchecked, osteoporosis eventually results in stooped posture, chronic pain and disability. Hip fractures can have disastrous results. Twenty percent of women die within one year of suffering a hip fracture. Wrist and ankle fractures can leave older women permanently disabled. These physical effects can result in a loss of confidence and strength. They can also mean a loss of freedom, including the ability to lead a healthy, active life.

Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women is more prevelant than stroke, heart attack and breast cancer combined. One in two women will develop an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime, but because many people incorrectly think osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging, they are not taking the necessary and available steps to prevent this disease.

WHO IS AT RISK?
Women who have gone through menopause are most at risk. Also prone to bone loss are women with a family history of osteoporosis, Caucasian and Asian women and women who are thin or small-boned.

Other factors that may contribute to risk:

• smoking
• too much alcohol
• not enough exercise
• too little calcium or Vitamin D (in adulthood or as a child)
• early menopause (before age 45)
• a previous broken bone resulting from a minor injury
• medications such as steroids (used to treat asthma and arthritis) and high dosages of thyroid hormone

HOW CAN YOU TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR BONES?
Preventing osteoporosis is critical because bone loss puts you at increased risk of fractures. There are a number of things you can do now. Start talking to your physician about ways to maintain bone health and slow future bone loss.

Get proper amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Although taking calcium is important, it can't totally stop bone loss or rebuild bone after menopause. Strengthen bones with regular weight bearing exercise like walking, running, tennis and low-impact aerobics. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking and avoid alcohol consumption.

At menopause, it is important for women at high risk to understand that they may need to take additional measures, such as bone density testing and medication. Bone density testing can help your physician predict your risk of developing osteoporosis and forecast the risk of future fractures. Medication options include estrogen replacement therapy and remineralization replacement therapy, like calcitonin, and the new generation of remineralization drugs like alendronate.

WHAT IS BONE DENSITOMETRY TESTING?
Bone densitometry is an instant snapshot of bone status. It uses an extremely low-dosage x-ray that is non-invasive and painless. Current technology allows the human bone to be evaluated at a variety of sites including the spine, hip, wrist, hand and heel. During the procedure, no undressing is required, but you should avoid clothing with large metal buttons, buckles or zippers. Scans take from five to fifteen minutes.

Fan beam technology, the superior method of bone densitometry, is offered at OSF HealthCare facilities. The procedure is covered by Medicare; some insurance plans will also reimburse for the procedure.

Bone density measurements are compared to the mean peak bone density of young, healthy individuals and to people of the same age and sex. This information is used to diagnosis osteoporosis and predict future fracture risk and to identify people who are candidates for treatment.

Follow-up bone density tests should be performed on people who are at risk for accelerated bone loss and on people who are part of any osteoporosis prevention treatment program. The information may be used to check for stability of bone density and to monitor the effectiveness of bone mineralization treatment.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW?
Osteoporosis is a special problem for women. If you are diagnosed with the disease, take heart in knowing you are not alone. Of the 25 million diagnosed cases of osteoporosis in America, more than 20 million are women. If you know other women who are potentially at risk, talk about it. Encourage them to see their physician about getting tested and learning the many ways they may be able to maintain their bone health and strength.

If you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis, stay informed about available treatments. Medical advances are being made all the time and you should know your options.

For more information on osteoporosis and its treatment, see your physician or call the OSF HealthCare facility nearest you.