Health

Keep Your Bones Healthy as You Age: Understanding Osteoporosis

Did you know your skeleton isn’t what is used to be? That’s because your bones are alive and continuously changing throughout your life. In a process called remodeling, your body breaks down older bone while rebuilding new bone. In fact, you replace most of your skeleton every 10 years due this lifelong cycle of bone breakdown and replacement.

And though your bones are always hard at work, sometimes bone loss outpaces the growth of new bones — resulting in a common condition called osteoporosis. Affecting as many as 10 million Americans, osteoporosis causes bones to become porous, brittle, and prone to fracture. “Osteoporosis has become one of the more common problems of aging,” explains UAB rheumatologist Kenneth Saag, MD. “This is due to many factors, including decreased calcium intake during childhood as well as a decrease in physical activity.”

The bone loss that occurs with osteoporosis usually happens over many years and often progresses unnoticed. People with osteoporosis have an increased risk of unexpected, painful fractures — often the first symptom of the disease. “Hip and spine fractures are the main concerns because these can result in loss of mobility and independence,” says Dr. Saag.

Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis?

Most people reach peak bone mass – when you have the maximum amount of bone you’ll ever have — around the third decade of life. But as you age, your body’s ability to rebuild new bone slows down while the bone breakdown process accelerates.

At the same time, several factors can contribute to bone loss over the course of your life. It’s important to understand the risk factors that increase your chances of developing osteoporosis. Then, you can do all you can to change the risk factors you can control.

Bone structure and body weight. Petite and thin women — as well as small-boned, thin men — have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

Gender. Seventy-five percent of those affected by osteoporosis are women, while 25 percent are men.

Age. Though anyone of any age can develop osteoporosis, the risk increases with age. Generally, women over the age of 50 have the greatest risk of developing the disease.

Smoking. Studies show smokers have lower bone densities and higher fracture risks. Stop using tobacco to lower your chances of developing osteoporosis.

Medications. The long-term use of certain medications may increase your risk of osteoporosis. The include steroids (prednisone), thyroid medication, anticonvulsants, antacids, and other medications.

Too much alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with bone remodeling and increase your loss of calcium. If you use alcohol, it’s best to drink in moderation.

Certain diseases. Several diseases can cause bone loss, including cystic fibrosis, digestive diseases, and multiple myeloma.

While each of these factors is important, Dr. Saag emphasizes that risk factors alone don’t tell the whole story. “For most people over the age of 65, a DEXA scan, which measures bone density, is the best way to assess whether someone has osteoporosis.”

Are Osteoporosis Treatments Available?

“A significant advance regarding osteoporosis is that we now have effective therapies that can be taken by mouth or given intravenously,” explains Dr. Saag. “The oral medications have been shown to reduce fractures by 30% to 70%.”

A group of medications called bisphosphonates are the most common medicines prescribed for osteoporosis treatment. Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva are a few well known examples. These medicines work by blocking the breakdown of bone. Also, many intravenous medications are available to treat osteoporosis. These include pamidronate (Aredia), zoledronic acid (Zometa), and teriparatide (Forteo).

What Are the Best Ways to Prevent Osteoporosis?

Exercise. Bones become weak if they aren’t worked regularly. That’s why weight-bearing exercises are important for preventing osteoporosis. Walking, jogging, racket sports, and dancing are all good examples.

Get more calcium. Without this important mineral, your body can’t rebuild new bone during the lifelong remodeling process. Be sure you’re getting at least 800 IUs each day through your diet or in a supplement.

Increase your vitamin D. This important vitamin is necessary for your body to absorb calcium. Older adults should get 800 IUs daily.

Avoid tobacco, and minimize caffeine and alcohol. Smoking lowers bone density and ups your risk of fractures. Too much caffeine or alcohol can also lead to bone weakening, so use both only in moderation.