Osteoporosis--porous, fragile bones that break easily, too frequently resulting in hip fractures and the stooped posture called dowager's hump--is occurring in epidemic proportions in the U.S. For those who are affected, it can be painful, disfiguring, and debilitating.

"The Shrinking Woman"
© 1987 Triad

I. HOW TO PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS

Prevention requires a combination of nutrition, exercise, and/or medication.

Nutrition: Proper nutrition is vital. You must have enough calcium, which builds bones, and vitamin D, which helps absorption of calcium. (Find out more in Stand Tall.)

Exercise: Exercise should be part of your daily routine for osteoporosis prevention. The best exercises are those that work the muscles harder than they would work normally. Activities such as weight lifting, walking, dancing, stair climbing, step aerobics, jogging, hiking and tennis are all effective at building bone. Exercise also affects the hormones that control bone remodeling, shifting the balance toward new bone formation. (Find out more in Walk Tall.)

Medication: Most of the available drugs -- as well as estrogen replacement therapy for postmenopausal women -- help prevent bone loss. When bone mass is increased, it happens as a result of this slowing down or stopping further bone loss. (Find out more in Stand Tall.)

WHEN SHOULD PREVENTION BEGIN?

The prevention of osteoporosis should begin early.

Physical activity in childhood is an important determinant of peak bone mass. Studies have shown that exercise habits started before the age of 10 continue throughout life.

If you are a teenager or young adult, it may be difficult for you to imagine that today's poor nutrition, exercise and lifestyle habits could lead to disability in your later years.

If you are menopausal, and you haven't already started a program of prevention, it's not too late to begin. Don't wait until you have a symptom -- the only symptom is a fracture.

ARE YOU AT RISK?

It is important to find out. Osteoporosis is not just a problem for postmenopausal women; it is a lifelong concern for everyone. Although some people are more at risk than others, this life threatening condition affects both men and women and crosses all ages (including children), ethnic groups, and lifestyles.

Because there are no symptoms, almost three-fourths of those with fragile bones are not aware of it.

According to Sara Meeks, "I recently gave a seminar at which a 28-year-old, well-built, healthy looking man stood up and volunteered the information that he had recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis by bone density scan. To look at him, it was impossible to tell." Meeks also describes a 15-year-old boy, an athlete, a wrestler, who had osteoporosis.

SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED?

Absolutely! Everyone should take osteoporosis seriously. Do you think that any of the following statements pertain to you?

These statements are all NOT TRUE. No matter who you are, your family history, your dietary or lifestyle habits, you can't ever assume that you can't get osteoporosis.

ARE YOUR BONES ARE GETTING THINNER AND WEAKER?

Osteoporosis has no symptoms. You have no warning that a bone is weak enough to fracture. But there is a sure way to know if you are at risk of a fracture. Get a bone density test. If your doctor does not suggest one, ask for it.

One of the most accurate tests is called a DEXA. It's painless, takes just a few minutes, and has virtually 100% accuracy. You will learn whether your bone mass is normal or below normal. If it is low, you must take steps to stop bone loss and build new bone as soon as possible, before a weakened bone breaks.

WHAT IS OSTEOPENIA?

Osteopenia is like a "mild case of osteoporosis." It means the bones have started losing mass but so far the risk of breaking is very small. Osteopenia is a warning that bone is being depleted. If you don't stop the bone loss, it will get worse, until actual osteoporosis results.

II. ADVANCED OSTEOPOROSIS:
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT

If you have had one or more fractures . . . if you are in pain . . . if you have trouble with breathing or digestion . . . if you have become shorter . . . if you are stooped over ("dowager's hump") you can be helped. You can stop the bone-depleting process and even add bone mass. Here's how:

1. Develop good posture with body alignment exercises. When you straighten your body alignment, back pain is relieved, breathing and digestion improves, and you will be less likely to fall. If you have a dowager's hump, it will lessen somewhat. You will become a little taller and look better.

2. Make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D.

3. Exercise. No matter how frail you may be, there are safe exercises starting at a low level that can help build up specific bones.

Some exercises can actually do harm if you have low bone mass. (See American Physical Therapy Assn. press release.)

Any twisting or flexion of the spine can cause a compression fracture. When you do flexion exercises, the back flexes, or bends forward, and the spinal vertebrae compress, thereby increasing the risk of crushing or breaking a bone if the spine has been weakened from osteoporosis. Avoid crunches, sit-ups, straight leg raises, toe touches, and knee-to-chest movements.

Be especially careful if you or someone you know is a senior, participating in seated exercise classes. Sitting is the position of greatest compression on the spine, and the risk of a compression fracture is increased by bending forward or bringing the knees up to the chest.

The information given here is from two prominent authorities: Morris Notelovitz, M.D., Ph.D., noted clinician and researcher who founded the first women's clinic in the U.S., and Sara Meeks, P.T., a physical therapist who specializes in the treatment of osteoporosis, postural problems, back pain, the frail elderly and the mature athlete.

Excerpted and adapted from two books:
(click on the title to learn more about them and how they can help you)

Stand Tall! Every Woman's Guide to Preventing and Treating Osteoprosis, by Morris Notelovitz, M.D., Ph.D. with Marsha Ware, M.D. and Diana Tonnessen	Walk Tall! An Exercise Program for the Prevention & Treatment of Osteoporosis, by Sara Meeks, P.T., M.A., G.C.S.

Copyright © 1998-2005 by Triad Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. The information on this website is provided as general health guidelines only and not as medical advice. The illustration "The Shrinking Woman" © 1987 by Triad Communications, Inc.