Osteoporosis FAQ

• What is osteoporosis?
• Is osteoporosis more common in women or in men?
• What are some risk factors for osteoporosis?
• What is the link between osteoporosis and menopause?
• What are some symptoms of osteoporosis?
• What is a bone mineral density test?
• Who should have a BMD test?
• How is a DXA scan done?
• What do DXA scan results mean?
• How often should I have a BMD test?
• What is FRAX?
• How does FRAX estimate fracture risk?
• What treatment is available for osteoporosis?
• How can osteoporosis be prevented?
• When is the best time to start taking care of my bones in order to prevent osteoporosis?
• How can exercise help prevent osteoporosis?
• What types of exercises help prevent osteoporosis and bone fracture?
• How do calcium and vitamin D help build healthy bones?
• Glossary

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become thin, brittle, and weak. These changes can increase the risk of fractures. Fractures can lead to disability. Fractures caused by osteoporosis have been linked to an increased risk of death.

What are some risk factors for osteoporosis?

The following factors cause or contribute to osteoporosis and fractures:

• Certain medications
• Diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus
• Low calcium intake
• Vitamin D insufficiency
• Excess vitamin A
• High caffeine intake
• High salt intake
• Aluminum (in antacids)
• Alcohol (three or more drinks per day)
• Inadequate physical activity or being immobile
• Smoking (active or passive)
• Falling Being thin

What are some symptoms of osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis may not cause any symptoms for decades. However, some signs and symptoms do occur as the disease progresses. As the spinal bones (vertebrae) weaken, they can fracture. Fracture in the front part of the spinal bones can result in loss of height or a slight curving of the spine. This type of spinal fracture often causes no pain. Sometimes, fractures of the spine can cause pain that travels from the back to the sides of the body.

How is a DXA scan done?

During a DXA scan, you lie down for 3–10 minutes while a machine scans your body. With this test you are exposed to a small amount of radiation—less than the amount in a normal chest X-ray.

How often should I have a BMD test?

How often you should have your BMD measured depends on your age and results of your previous DXA scan. Women 65 years and older with normal bone mass or mild bone loss can have a test every 15 years. More frequent testing is recommended for women in this age group with T-scores between -1.5 and -2.49.

How does FRAX estimate fracture risk?

FRAX takes into account your age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol intake, and other risk factors for osteoporosis. Treatment is recommended if FRAX shows that you have a 3% risk of hip fracture; a 20% risk of a major osteoporotic fracture (fracture of the forearm, shoulder, or spine); or both. FRAX also is used to decide whether women younger than 65 years should have a DXA test. You can calculate your own FRAX by going to http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/.

What types of exercises help prevent osteoporosis and bone fracture?

Weight-bearing exercises can help keep bones strong. Weight-bearing exercises are activities that are performed while standing and that require your muscles and bones to work against gravity. An example is brisk walking. Non-weight-bearing exercises, such as Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates, can build endurance and improve balance and posture, thereby reducing your risk of falls. Strength training also is good for bones. In this type of exercise, muscles and bones are strengthened by resisting against weight, such as your own body, an exercise band, or handheld weights.

When is the best time to start taking care of my bones in order to prevent osteoporosis?

It is never too early to start thinking about bone health. Good bone health should start during childhood. This is the time to focus on building and keeping as much bone as you can through exercise, good nutrition, and staying healthy.

Is osteoporosis more common in women or in men?

Osteoporosis occurs five times more often in women than in men.

What is the link between osteoporosis and menopause?

Estrogen, a female hormone, protects against bone loss. After menopause, the ovaries produce very little estrogen. This decrease in estrogen triggers a period of rapid bone loss in women that starts 1 year before the final menstrual period and lasts for about 3 years. The natural effects of aging on bones may contribute to this bone loss as well.

What is a bone mineral density test?

In a bone mineral density (BMD) test, bone density is measured at the heel, spine, hip, hand, or wrist. Several types of BMD tests are available. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the hip and spine is considered to be the most accurate BMD test available.

Who should have a BMD test?

All women aged 65 years or older should have a BMD test. Women who are younger than 65 years and past menopause should have a BMD test if they have had a bone fracture because of fragile bones or have other risk factors for osteoporosis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, smoking, alcoholism, a history of hip fracture in a parent, or a body weight less than 127 pounds.

What do DXA scan results mean?

After the test, a T-score is given for each site measured. A negative score means that you have thinner bones than an average 30-year-old woman. A positive score means that you have stronger bones than an average 30-year-old woman. If the T-score at any site is -1 to -2.5, you have a low BMD and are at increased risk of osteoporosis. A score of -2.5 or lower means that you have osteoporosis. Treatment usually is recommended to prevent fractures.

What is FRAX?

FRAX is a tool used to estimate fracture risk. This computer program helps predict the risk of having a fracture within the next 10 years in women aged 40 years and older who are not taking prescription osteoporosis drugs.

What treatment is available for osteoporosis?

Various medications are used to treat osteoporosis and help reduce the risk of fractures. Some can be used for prevention.

How do calcium and vitamin D help build healthy bones?

Calcium is important to building and maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. Many people do not get enough calcium from food. To increase your daily levels of calcium, eat a variety of calcium-rich foods. Good sources of calcium include dark, leafy greens, like spinach, kale, and collards; dairy foods, such as yogurt, milk, and cheese; and canned fish with soft bones, including salmon and sardines. You can increase your intake of vitamin D by eating foods fortified with vitamin D (orange juice, cereal, and milk). You also can get vitamin D by being in the sun for 15 minutes a few days a week.

How can osteoporosis be prevented?

Lifestyle plays a key role in preventing osteoporosis. Exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking can help keep your bones strong and healthy throughout your life.

How can exercise help prevent osteoporosis?

Exercise increases bone mass before menopause and slows bone loss after menopause. Bone is living tissue and exercise makes it grow stronger. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that healthy adults get 150 minutes of exercise a week, which works out to be about 30 minutes on most days of the week.