Health News
Body builder, How to build bone density and avoid osteoporosis

Mar 2, 2008, 00:09

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones - particularly those of the spine, wrist and hips - become thin and weak, and break easily. Often there are no warning signs before a break occurs.

What causes it?
The condition occurs because from around the age of 35 more bone cells are lost than replaced so bone density decreases. Osteoporosis may cause people to 'shrink' as they get older. It causes the characteristic 'dowager's hump'.

Who's affected?
Osteoporosis mainly affects women after the age of the menopause, although men can have it.

It may occur in younger people if they have other predisposing factors.

About three million people in the UK have the condition, which is more common in women than men. Every year in the UK more than 230,000 fractures occur because of osteoporosis. One in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will have a fracture.

After the menopause bone loss speeds up, making osteoporosis more likely. In women the risk is increased if they have an early menopause, have their ovaries removed before the menopause, or miss periods for six months or more as a result of excessive exercising or dieting.

For men low levels of testosterone increase the risk.

For men and women, long-term use of corticosteroid medication, maternal osteoporosis, smoking, heavy drinking, sedentary lifestyle, low body weight and medical conditions that affect absorption, such as coeliac disease, all increase the risk.

What are the symptoms?

There may be no warning before a minor bump or fall causes a bone fracture, which may result in pain, disability and loss of independence, or even prove fatal.

It’s important to consider whether you're at higher than average risk for osteoporosis, and seek help if you are. Ask yourself the following questions:

• If female, have you had the menopause?
• Was it premature, before the age of 45?
• Did you have an eating disorder severe enough to stop your periods?
• Have you had low trauma or spontaneous fractures in the past?
• Have you been told that previous x-rays suggest thinning of the bones?
• Have you lost height in the past ten years?
• Have you been on steroids for more than six months?
• Is there a family history of osteoporosis, easy fractures or 'dowager's hump'?
• Do you have chronic illness, such as thyroid disease, arthritis or bone disease, renal disease or hormonal problems?
• Have you been immobile for any reason?
• Do you smoke or drink a lot?

If you answer 'yes' to two or more of these questions, you may have osteoporosis or be at risk of it. See your GP who'll send you for specialist assessment.

How's it diagnosed?

As well as an examination and blood checks, there are a variety of tests that can give you a more definite density assessment.

The most common is called a DEXA scan. This painless test involves a low dose of x-rays (less than a normal x-ray) usually across your spine, wrist or hip.

The specialist will then tell you whether you have osteoporosis, or are at risk, and will suggest treatments.

Oestrogen, either naturally before the menopause or as HRT, is known to protect against bone loss. There a number of treatment options if you're diagnosed with osteoporosis.

How's it treated?

Medication may include:

• Calcium and vitamin D supplements
• A variety of hormone treatments, including HRT and SERMS
• Bisphosphonates, a group of drugs that prevent bone breakdown and can be very effective in osteoporosis

How can I prevent it?

It's better to prevent any condition than simply to manage it when it happens. Osteoporosis assessment and management is an important factor in maintaining the health of your bone structure as you enter middle age.

Increase the calcium in your diet, increase the amount of weight-bearing exercise you do - this helps maintain bone density – reduce your alcohol intake and quit smoking.