OSTEOPOROSIS: THE SILENT DISEASE

Osteoporosis is one of the most common and yet poorly understood diseases of middle and old age. The disease is a health threat for an estimated 44 million Americans, or 55% of the people 50 years of age and older.  In the U.S. today, 10 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease, of this number 80% are women.  Almost 34 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is also known as the silent disease because it is symptom less. Unlike arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis) there are no swollen joints, stiffness and pain to warn you of any impending problems. Literally meaning “porous bones,” the disease weakens bones making them brittle and susceptible to break, sometimes even from a sneeze. The most susceptible areas are the wrists, hips and spine. Curving of the spine (kyphosis) can lead to pain, height loss, loss in mobility and permanent disability and can rob you of your independence.

Up until the age of 30 the human body continually generates new bone to replace old bone cells. After age 35 though this process starts to balance out, with new bone not generated as quickly.

The hormonal changes during menopause can rapidly increase bone loss, and the bone-producing cells cannot generate new bone fast enough to compensate for the loss.

So what can you do to help prevent the disease?
Start with a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, a healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol use, and a bone density testing and medications when appropriate.

At the Oklahoma Breast Care Center we use the DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) method to measure your bone mineral density. A very low-dose radiation screening, it would take 20 bone scans with the DEXA to equal the amount of radiation in one chest X-ray.

Screenings are done in about 10 to 20 minutes and involve getting an X-ray of the spine and hip, and sometimes the wrist. We can schedule your Osteoporosis screening for the same day as your yearly mammogram.

How can I find out if I am at risk?
The only currently available means to assess the state of bones and potential risk of future fractures is by getting a bone mineral density measurement test. At the Oklahoma Breast Care Center we use the DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) method to measure your done mineral density (BMD). The results obtained are compared to results of the average BMD of young adult normals of your sex and race, at their peak BMD. This information will help your doctor determine if you need to take certain steps to protect your bone health.

Is a BMD Test the same as a bone scan?
No. Bone scans detect abnormalities such as infection, inflammation and cancer. BMD requires no special preparation. There are NO needles, NO injections and is NON-INVASIVE.

Is it safe?
Yes. DEXA is a low-dose radiation screening. It would take 20 bone scans with the DEXA to equal the amount of radiation in one chest X-ray. As with any medical procedure, be sure to let us know if you are pregnant.

Why is the DEXA better than other screenings?
By the time a radiologist can detect Osteoporosis from an X-ray, you have already lost 30% of your bone mass. With the DEXA a radiologist can detect bone loss at as little as 1%.

Once bone loss is detected, future bone loss may be controlled and prevented through a treatment plan that may include diet modification, exercise, supplement or prescription therapy, nutritional counseling and physical therapy, as determined by your primary care physician.

Who is at risk?
There are some common risk factors that have been identified.

NOTE: Even if none of these factors apply to you, you may still be at risk for Osteoporosis. Only a BMD can provide information your doctor needs to clearly tell for sure.

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