Osteoporosis

1
Osteoporosis

• Created by
• Tricia Fleming, University of Kansas Dietetic
  Intern
• Tammy Beason, MS, RD, Nutrition Education
  Specialist, Family Nutrition Education Program
• December 2001

2
Osteoporosis

• A major public threat for more than 28 million
  Americans. 80 are women.
• One in 2 women and One in 8 men over 50 will have
  an osteoporosis related fracture.
• The estimated cost for osteoporotic and
  associated fractures is 38 million a day!

3
What is it?

• A disease in which bones become fragile and more
  likely to break.
• Breaks usually occur in the hip, spine and wrist.

4
What is it?

• Hip and spine fractures are a major concern.
• Hip fractures almost always require surgery and
  hospitalization.
• Spine fractures have serious consequences such as
  loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity.

5
What causes osteoporosis?

• Scientist have not yet learned all the reasons
  this occurs.
• When you are young your body makes new bone
  faster than it breaks down old bones.
• As you get older, this process slows down and you
  start losing bone density.
• The risk for osteoporosis depends on how much
  bone mass you attained between ages 25 and 35 and
  how fast you lose it.

6
Risk Factors

• Certain people are more likely to develop this
  disease than others.
• Female
• Thin and/or small frame
• Advanced age
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Post menopause

7
Risk Factors

• Anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Diet low in calcium
• Use of certain medications
• Low testosterone levels in men
• An inactive lifestyle
• Cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Being Asian or Caucasian

8
Are your bones healthy?

Normal bone
Osteoporosis
9
Bone Health

• Bones are living tissue, they provide structural
  support, protect vital organs and store calcium.
• Until age 30, we store and build bone
  effectively.
• As part of the aging process, bones begin to
  break down faster than they are formed.
• Accelerates after menopause. Estrogen is the
  hormone that protects against bone loss.

10
Detection

• Bone Density Tests
• Can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs.
• Predicts your chances of fracturing in the
  future.
• Determines your rate of bone loss and monitors
  the effects of treatment.

11
Bone Mass Density

• The National Osteoporosis Foundation
• Recommends you have a BDT if
• You use medications that cause osteoporosis
• You have type I diabetes, liver disease, kidney
  disease or a family history
• You experience early menopause
• Youre postmenopausal over 50 and have at least
  one risk factor.
• Youre postmenopausal over 65 and never had a
  test.

12
Prevention

• Building strong bones in childhood and
  adolescence is the best defense.
• A balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D
• Weight bearing exercise
• A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive
  alcohol intake.
• Bone density testing and medication when
  appropriate.

13
Calcium

• Is needed for heart muscles, and nerves to
  function properly.
• Inadequate amounts contribute to osteoporosis.
• Appropriate calcium intake falls between 1000 and
  1300 mg a day.

14
Calcium

• Increase calcium
• Consume calcium rich foods such as, low-fat milk,
  cheese, broccoli, and others.
• Calcium supplement, if dietary calcium
  consumption is inadequate

15
How to get enough Calcium every day!

• Follow the Food Guide Pyramid
• for Dietary Calcium Sources
• Dairy- low fat yogurt, skim milk, cheese,
  chocolate pudding, ice milk, ice cream or frozen
  yogurt.
• Protein- tofu, sardines, salmon
• Vegetables- turnip greens, Bok Choy, Broccoli,
  collard greens
• Other foods vegetable lasagna, cheese
  enchilada, cheese pizza, calcium fortified orange
  juice.

16
Vitamin D

• Is needed for your body to absorb calcium.
• Comes from 2 sources the sun and
• Fortified dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater
  fish, and liver.
• Need 400-800 IU a day.

17
Exercise

• Exercising regularly in childhood and adolescence
  can ensure that you will reach peak bone density.
• Need to participate in weight bearing exercise.
  For example, walking, dancing, jogging, stair
  climbing, racquet sports and hiking.

18
Medications

• There is no cure, but several medications have
  been approved.
• Each stops or slows bone loss, increases bone
  density, and reduces fracture risk.
• Estrogen Replacement,
• Alendronate,raloxitene and risedronate are
  prescribed to prevent and treat the disease.

19
Bone-Building Checklist

• Maintain a calcium rich diet.
• Get plenty of vitamin D
• Engage in weight-bearing exercise
• Dont smoke and limit alcohol intake
• Consider Hormone Replacement or other medications
  if you are at risk.

20
Whats next?

• We need to educate young women and teenagers
  about the risk of osteoporosis.
• Great resource www.nof.org