What is Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is thinning and loss of density in your bones. Osteoporosis makes bones more brittle and fragile and more likely to break (fracture).

Over time, osteoporosis can cause your bones to become so weak that they fracture after a minor fall. Bones in the hip, wrist, and spine are most likely to fracture due to osteoporosis.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of this condition is not known.

What increases the risk?

You may be at greater risk for osteoporosis if you:

• Have a family history of the condition.
• Have poor nutrition.
• Use steroid medicines, such as prednisone.
• Are female.
• Are age 50 or older.
• Smoke or have a history of smoking.
• Are not physically active (are sedentary).
• Are white (Caucasian) or of Asian descent.
• Have a small body frame.
• Take certain medicines, such as antiseizure medicines.

What are the signs or symptoms?

A fracture might be the first sign of osteoporosis, especially if the fracture results from a fall or injury that usually would not cause a bone to break. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Pain in the neck or low back.
• Stooped posture.
• Loss of height.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your medical history.
• A physical exam.
• A bone mineral density test, also called a DXA or DEXA test (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry test). This test uses X-rays to measure the amount of minerals in your bones.

How is this treated?

The goal of treatment is to strengthen your bones and lower your risk for a fracture. Treatment may involve:

• Making lifestyle changes, such as:
  • Including foods with more calcium and vitamin D in your diet.
  • Doing weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.
  • Stopping tobacco use.
  • Limiting alcohol intake.
• Taking medicine to slow the process of bone loss or to increase bone density.
• Taking daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D.
• Taking hormone replacement medicines, such as estrogen for women and testosterone for men.
• Monitoring your levels of calcium and vitamin D.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

• Exercise as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what exercises and activities are safe for you. You should do:
  • Exercises that make you work against gravity (weight-bearing exercises), such as tai chi, yoga, or walking.
  • Exercises to strengthen muscles, such as lifting weights.

Lifestyle

• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

Preventing falls

• Use devices to help you move around (mobility aids) as needed, such as canes, walkers, scooters, or crutches.
• Keep rooms well-lit and clutter-free.
• Remove tripping hazards from walkways, including cords and throw rugs.
• Install grab bars in bathrooms and safety rails on stairs.
• Use rubber mats in the bathroom and other areas that are often wet or slippery.
• Wear closed-toe shoes that fit well and support your feet. Wear shoes that have rubber soles or low heels.
• Review your medicines with your health care provider. Some medicines can cause dizziness or changes in blood pressure, which can increase your risk of falling.

General instructions

• Include calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Calcium is important for bone health, and vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium. Good sources of calcium and vitamin D include:
  • Certain fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna.
  • Products that have calcium and vitamin D added to them (fortified products), such as fortified cereals.
  • Egg yolks.
  • Cheese.
  • Liver.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have never been screened for osteoporosis and you are:
  • A woman who is age 65 or older.
  • A man who is age 70 or older.

Get help right away if:

• You fall or injure yourself.

Summary

• Osteoporosis is thinning and loss of density in your bones. This makes bones more brittle and fragile and more likely to break (fracture),even with minor falls.
• The goal of treatment is to strengthen your bones and reduce your risk for a fracture.
• Include calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Calcium is important for bone health, and vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium.
• Talk with your health care provider about screening for osteoporosis if you are a woman who is age 65 or older, or a man who is age 70 or older.