Weak, Brittle Bones Osteoporosis results in weak and brittle bones. Although it affects more than 25 million Americans, most patients do not know they have the condition. The first sign of weakened bones is a fracture after a fall, bump or even a strain. The break most often occurs in the hips, spine or wrist. Osteoporosis is commonly thought to occur in old age, but it can develop anytime during life. It is most often seen in women, especially after menopause.

Women have less bone mass than men and lose even more after menopause due to a decrease in estrogen levels.

Know Your Risk Factors

The bones of the skeleton seem to be solid, but throughout one's life they are constantly changing, breaking down and rebuilding. This process, known as remodeling, rebuilds bone tissue and releases minerals that are important to the body. Until age 35, the bones continue to become stronger. During the next 15 or 20 years, bone mass stays about the same. In women, however, estrogen levels fall after menopause and the bones begin to lose their density. The situation is especially worsened in women who experience menopause before the age of 45.

Loss of bone mass raises risk: Osteoporosis affects over 25 million Americans, 80% of whom are women. Women have less bone mass than men during adulthood and they lose bone mass after menopause because estrogen levels decrease. As a result, one of every two women will have a bone fracture that is due to osteoporosis. Other factors that increase the risk of developing osteoporosis include eating disorders, low calcium in diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive use of alcohol or caffeine and, in men, low testosterone levels. Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids or anticonvulsants, may also increase the risk. A family history of osteoporosis is another risk factor. Changing the risk factors, by increasing calcium in the diet or stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake, can lower the risks.

Bone density test: Osteoporosis usually is not diagnosed until a fracture occurs, or the disease has become so severe that back pain or a loss in height has occurred. There is a painless test to see if bone mass has decreased. The test, known as a bone density test, will show if osteoporosis has already developed and can spell out the risk of having a fracture in the future. The test is similar to an x-ray but uses a much smaller amount of radiation. The bone density test compares the patient's bone density reading to a normal reading in someone who is the same age, sex and size of the patient. The test may be repeated each year to see how fast bone mass is lost. In a patient who is taking a drug for osteoporosis, the test will also show how well the drug is working.

Early diagnosis: If diagnosed early, osteoporosis can be stopped from progressing. The treatment is usually estrogen therapy, to replace the estrogen that is lost after menopause, and calcitonin, a hormone that stops the breakdown of bone. A recent study has shown that a combination treatment of slow-release sodium fluoride and calcium citrate can strengthen bones and prevent vertebral fractures in women with osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis are also asked to eat a diet high in calcium (a building block for strong bone), prescribed a vitamin D supplement to help the calcium become absorbed, told to engage in an exercise program and given other counseling to ensure a healthy lifestyle to prevent further bone weakening. Teenage girls are advised to increase their consumption of calcium. It is important to note that simply taking calcium supplements or eating a high-calcium diet is not enough to prevent osteoporosis. Calcium slows but does not stop bone loss. Patients with osteoporosis should follow a complete treatment plan recommended by their doctor.