An almost inevitable consequence of menopause is thinning bones.  And why is that important?  Because if bones get too thin they break.  Broken bones lead to even more serious problems.  Thin bones, also known as osteoporosis can cause any bone to break particularly with a fall, but the most common bones to fracture are vertebrae, hip and wrist. 

 BONES ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE… Almost 300,000 Americans over 45 are admitted to the hospital with hip fractures each year.  Osteoporosis was the underlying cause for most of these injuries.  An average of 24% of hip fracture patients over 50 will die in the year following their fracture.  Of those who were ambulatory before their hip fracture, 20% will require long term care after.  Six months after a fracture only 15% will be able to walk across a room unaided.  Ten million people in the U.S. have osteoporosis and 80% of those are women.  Another thirty four million have low bone mass putting them at risk for osteoporosis.  Costs of osteoporosis fractures are  about $20 billion dollars a year and are expected to rise to over $25 billion by 2025.

KNOW YOUR RISKS…Asian and Caucasian women are at greatest risk.  But significant risk has been reported in all ethnic backgrounds.  Ten percent of Hispanic women have osteoporosis and 49%  have low bone mass.  Five percent of African-American women have osteoporosis and another 35% have low bone mass.   Other risk factors include: family history; poor diet low in calcium and Vitamin D, excess intake of protein,sodium and caffeine; lack of exercise, smoking; excess alcohol;certain medications such as steroids and anticonvulsants; certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, anorexia nervosa, gastrointestinal diseases.

KNOW WHAT TO DO TO DIAGNOSE…  If you are over 60 or have other risk factors ask your care provider about getting  a bone mineral density test (BMD).  Most experts recommend  a type of BMD called a DXA scan.  This scan can tell if you have osteoporosis or low bone mass and help predict the chances of fracture in the future.  This will guide you and your health care provider in the decision about  need for treatment.   Medications can help halt the progress and even reverse osteoporosis reducing the chance of fracture. 

KNOW WHAT TO DO FOR PREVENTION…Tell your daughters, granddaughters, neices to drink their milk!  About 85-90% of bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls.  Building strong bones early helps prevent osteoporosis later.  Get enough calcium and vitamin D.   Calcium 1200-1500 mg per day for those over 50 years old.  Many experts are now recommending  at least 1000 IU of Vitamin D per day.  Avoid smoking and alcohol.  Weight bearing exercises have been shown to reduce loss of bone density.  Strength building exercises reduce risk of falling and therefore fracture risk.

KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFORMATION… A couple good web sites are:  www.nof.org (National Osteoporosis Foundation)  for more information on osteoporosis and www.strongwomen.com  for information on exercise.

written by Deborah McBain, CNM MSN