Weighing in on osteoporosis

Preventive treatments can help maintain or increase bone density to avoid osteoporosis . . .

Advertisements for drugs that make your bones stronger are everywhere — in magazines, on television and in doctors’ offices. Actress Sally Field endorses a medicine that is so simple she only needs to take it once a month.

Osteoporosis is a common disorder characterized by a progressive decrease in bone density and mass. This causes the bones to become brittle and weak, which makes them more susceptible to fractures. It has been estimated that over 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, and another 34 million have low bone mass which places them at risk for osteoporosis.

Preventive treatments can help maintain or increase bone density. For those already with osteoporosis, therapies may slow down further loss and may increase bone density.

Non-drug therapy and prevention

Calcium: The recommended daily intake of calcium is 1000 mg for premenopausal women and men and 1500 mg for postmenopausal women who don’t take estrogen. Supplements of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate are often needed since dietary calcium may be insufficient.

Vitamin D: The recommended intake is 800 International Units a day.

Exercise: At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3 times per week.

Smoking cessation: Smoking accelerates bone loss.

Fall prevention: Repeated falls increase risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Monitor medications that may increase bone loss: These include steroids (i.e., prednisone), heparin, Vitamin A, and antiepileptic (seizure) medications.

Medications for prevention and treatment

Patients with the highest risk of fracture would most likely benefit from drug therapy. In the U.S., treatment is recommended for post-menopausal women and men over 50 years old with a history of hip or vertebral fracture or with osteoporosis. Some patients with osteopenia and other risk factors may benefit from drug treatment. Your healthcare provider can help assess your risk.

Healthnetwork will assist Legatus members with executive physical appointments or geriatric assessment appointments, both of which could include bone density diagnostics – a very important health screening tool.

Susan Locke, MD, is Healthnetwork Foundation’s new medical director.

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Who should be screened?

Bone density measurements are the most common way of determining whether a person has osteoporosis or is at risk for developing osteoporosis.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends bone density testing in:

• All women 65 and older and men 70 and older regardless of risk factors

• Postmenopausal women and men 50 – 70 years old when risk factors are present (including cigarette smoking, long-term use of steroids, body weight less than 127 lbs, rheumatoid arthritis, excessive alcohol consumption)

• Adults who have a fracture after age 50

• Adults with a condition or taking medication associated with low bone mass/bone loss

• Anyone being treated for osteoporosis to monitor response to therapy

Healthnetwork is a membership benefit, a healthcare “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. For information on how this can work for you, call (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. E-mail: [email protected]