Disclaimer: This information was retrieved from National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa’s website.
Overview
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the density and quality of bones are reduced, leading to weakness of the skeleton and increased risk of fracture. This particularly occurs in the spine, wrists, hip, pelvis and upper arms. Osteoporosis and associated fractures are an important cause of mortality and morbidity. In many affected people, bone loss is gradual and without warning signs until the disease is advanced.
Prevalence
In South Africa, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will possibly develop this disease within their lifetime – which means potentially between 4 and 6 million South Africans suffer from Osteoporosis.
There are many misconceptions about osteoporosis, for example that it is “an old woman’s disease”. In fact, bone loss in women can begin as early as the age of 25. Worldwide, the lifetime risk for a woman to have an osteoporotic fracture is 30 – 40%. Furthermore, new studies have shown the prevalence of osteoporosis in men is higher than previously thought with approximately one in five men affected.
Risk Factors
| Lifestyle | · Being older than 65 years · Having broken a bone after the age of 50 · A close relative having broken a bone or having osteoporosis · Poor or fair health · Smoking · Being underweight for a specific height · Menopause before the age of 45 · Not getting in enough calcium · More than two drinks of alcohol several times a week · Poor vision · Not being physically active |
| Medical Conditions | · Hyperthyroidism · Chronic lung disease · Cancer · Inflammatory bowel disease · Chronic hepatic or renal disease · Vitamin D deficiency · Cushing’s disease · Multiple sclerosis · Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Medications | · Oral glucocorticoids (steroids) · Cancer treatments (radiation, chemotherapy) · Thyroid medicine · Antiepileptic medications · Gonadal hormone suppression · Immunosuppressive agents |
| Suffering From | · Rickets and osteomalacia · Kidney disease · Paget’s disease of bone · Genetic abnormalities · Endocrine disorders · Cushing’s disease |
Complete this questionnaire to identify whether any of the common risk factors apply to you.
Prevention
| Calcium | Calcium is a major building block of our bone tissue and is important for preventing osteoporosis and bone disease. Calcium levels in the blood, which are essential for nerves and muscles, are maintained by the calcium in our bones, which acts as a reservoir. The amount of calcium our bodies require changes according to age. The body’s ability to absorb calcium declines with age, and this is one of the reasons why seniors require higher amounts. In order to help prevent osteoporosis, or assist the body once it’s formed, it’s important to get in enough calcium rich foods. |
| Nutrition | Vitamin D helps in assisting the absorption of calcium from food in your intestines, as well as for ensuring the correct renewal and mineralisation of bone tissue. It is therefore essential for the maintenance and development of bone. Vitamin D is manufactured in your skin when exposed to ultraviolet rays, but it can also be obtained from food and dietary supplements, which include: Oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, Eggs and Liver. Emerging evidence suggestions that a minimum blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D that would be optimal for fracture prevention is 70-80 nmol/l. In order for this to be achieved, an average older man or woman would need a vitamin D intake of at least 800-1000 IU/day (20-25 µg/day), which is approximately double the intake recommended in most countries. |
| Exercise | Exercise is essential for bone health at any age. It is never too late to start a health bone exercise programme, even if you are at high risk for the disease or have already developed osteoporosis. Because exercise strengthens bones and muscles, it can help prevent the falls and fall-related fractures that so often result in disability or premature death. Exercise also helps improve balance, coordination and flexibility. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, walking and weightlifting are two of the best exercises you can do to help with building and maintaining bone density. Walking makes you work against gravity while staying upright. Weightlifting makes you work against gravity in a standing or sitting position. |
Signs and Symptoms
Osteoporosis is also known as “the silent crippler” because a person usually doesn’t know that they have it until it’s too late. Unfortunately, in many cases, the first real “symptom” is a broken bone. Loss of height with gradual curvature of the back (caused by vertebral compression fractures) may be the only physical sign of osteoporosis.
Diagnosis
To find out if you have osteoporosis, there are several tests, which can be done to measure bone density. These include:
- DXA scan (dual X-ray absorptiometry)
- QCT (Ultrasound and quantitative computed tomography)
- Blood tests
- Bone densitometry
Treatment
Although there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are a number of treatments and medications available that can assist those living with the disease. However, getting the right osteoporosis medication will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Age – certain medications are more appropriate for postmenopausal women.
- Sex – some medications are specifically – and only approved – for women.
- How far along the osteoporosis disease is – health practitioners should take into consideration other health elements (such as breast cancer, blood clots, radiation treatment, etc.) before recommending the right osteoporosis medication.
