Medical Headlines
Osteoporosis
A Preventable and Treatable Condition
Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by low bone mass with resultant increased risk of fracture.
The World Health Organization has defined diagnostic thresholds for low bone mass and osteoporosis based on bone mineral density measurements compared with a young adult reference population (T-Score). Osteoporosis is much more common in women than in men. It accelerates after menopause.
Risk factors for osteoporosis include tobacco abuse, decreased physical activity especially weight bearing activity, family history and history of previous fracture. Patients who take anticonvulsant treatment and those who take cortisone are at increased risk as well. Each is an additional factor as we all lose bone mass after the age of 40.
Bone density screening is not routinely recommended for pre-menopausal women but is appropriate for those pre-menopausal women who have significant risk factors. Those risk factors may include chronic lung disease, patients taking chemotherapy, inflammatory bowel disease, patients taking cortisone and those taking anti-seizure medications.
Women who are post-menopausal are excellent candidates for bone mineral density testing. The rational is that we do have treatment to delay the development of bone loss and thus prevent fractures specifically those that are most disabling such as fractures of the hip and vertebral spine.
The most accurate method to determine bone mineral density is a Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). This technology gives an accurate and precise estimate of bone mineral density thus predicting the risk of fracture as well as determining whether osteoporosis exists.
Treatment of osteoporosis includes non-pharmacologic modalities such as 1) A diet that is adequate in calories as well as calcium and vitamin D. 2) Ensuring a calcium intake of approximately 1,500 mg per day along with at least 800 IU of Vitamin D. 3) Regular weight bearing exercise such as walking. 4) Avoidance of smoking.
In order to appropriately evaluate patients who are at risk of osteoporosis the Butler County Clinic has obtained a state of the art Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry scanning device for accurate assessment of bone density.
It is the hope of the physicians and staff at the Butler County Clinic that by early assessment of patients at risk of osteoporosis or those who have osteoporosis appropriate interventions can be implemented to prevent the morbidity and mortality that is associated with osteoporotic fractures especially those of the hip and vertebral spine.
Spanning the Generations. . .
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