Osteoporosis Fact Sheet

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can result in fractures, crippling pain and hunched posture in the individuals affected by it. With osteoporosis, a loss of bone density turns the normally sturdy lattice work of healthy bone into a fragile lace that can break easily during simple daily activity. It affects 1 in 4 women over the age of 50, and 1 in 8 men over the same age. Factors which increase risk include: family history, smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, poor diet and lack of exercise.

What is the difference between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis?

You are at increased risk for developing Osteoporosis if:

• A family member broke a bone after age 50
• You have broken a bone after age 40
• You are older than 65 (woman or man)
• You are a women and have been through menopause
• You have used corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) for more than 3 months
• You have used a medication to control seizures (e.g. dilantin) for more than 10 years
• You have used a blood-thinner, by injection (e.g. heparin) for more than 6 months
• You have Rheumatoid Arthritis, overactive thyroid, overactive parathyroid or inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis)
• You have very little calcium in your diet (e.g. milk, yogurt, cheese)
• You have malabsorption problems e.g. Celiac disease or malnutrition
• You weigh less than 120 lbs.
• You have lost 2 or more inches of height
• You drink more than 2 glasses of alcohol per day
• You smoke
• You are not physically active
• You drink more than 2 - 3 cups of coffee or tea per day

How is Osteoporosis diagnosed?

The following are commonly used bone density tests:

DEXA - measures Bone Mineral Density (BMD)

• Detects low density
• Best predictor of your risk of breaking a bone
• Measures about 70% of your bone quality
• Gold standard used to diagnose osteoporosis
• Used to monitor treatment effectiveness  

Heel or wrist ultrasound

• Used as a screening tool only
• Not used to diagnose osteoporosis
• Not used to monitor treatment effectiveness

Who should have a bone density test?

• High risk individuals, generally after age 50
• Women who have finished menopause and who have a family history of osteoporosis
• Anyone who has had longstanding malabsorption problems or malnutrition
• Anyone who has used steroids or medications used to treat epilepsy for a long period of time
• Anyone with very low body weight
• Anyone with primary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid gland)

How often should you have a bone density test?

After diagnosis, you will probably have your first follow-up DXA in about one year to 18 months, to be sure you are not continuing to lose bone.

If your bone loss has stopped or slowed, you will generally not need another bone density measurement for two to three years.

It is not unusual for it to take two years for the positive effects of osteoporosis drugs to show up on a bone density test.

Each person’s situation is unique; discuss the need for follow-up with your family doctor.

How do you reduce your lifestyle risk factors for osteoporosis?

1. Ensure you get enough calcium and Vitamin D (See our calcium and Vitamin D brochure for ideas about how to get enough of these important nutrients in your diet.)
   

2. Exercise!
   Weight-bearing and weight resistance exercises are best for bones
   

3. Stop Smoking
   

4. Lower your caffeine intake
   Keep your caffeine intake (including coffee, tea, pop, and hot chocolate) to 2 servings a day or less.
   

5. Limit your alcohol intake to one or fewer servings per day for women and two or fewer servings per day for men.

10 Active ways to take an active role in your bone health

1. Educate yourself about how to have strong bones for life – go to trustworthy internet sites, to books, pamphlets, or to the other community resources listed below.

2. Enjoy exercise every day– get out there and get moving!

3. Ensure you get enough calcium and Vitamin D to your diet.

4. Stop smoking

5. Replace caffeinated coffee or tea with decaffeinated coffee or tea, milk, calcium enriched orange juice or enriched soy beverage; replace caffeinated pop with decaffeinated soft drinks. Try water instead of caffeine!

6. Talk to your family doctor about your risk and treatment!

7. Make sure the kids in your life are getting enough milk and weight-bearing exercise

8. Expose your skin to a half hour of sunlight every day in the summer & then apply sunscreen unless you are at high risk for skin cancer.

9. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than 2 servings per day.

10. Talk to your community pharmacist about how to take your medications correctly.

Women’s Health Resources does not support or endorse any method, treatment, program or person.  The goal of Women’s Health Resources is to provide information so that individuals can make informed choices.  Personal medical advice should be obtained directly from a physician or health care provider.

Please email your comments to whr@albertahealthservices.ca .  

This website provides general educational information only.  Additional health information can be accessed by visiting the Women's Health Resources Knowledge Centre/Library .  

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