Osteoporosis

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones have become thin and weak. It occurs mostly in women after menopause. That's because the female hormone estrogen helps women maintain bone strength. As estrogen levels decline, bone is lost. As bones weaken, they can be more easily broken. However, there are things you can do throughout life to help keep your bones strong.

Weakened Bones Can Break
Bones that may be weakened from osteoporosis are more likely to break (fracture). The bones in your hip, wrist, and spine are at the greatest risk for breaking. Your upper back may curve if the bones in your spine fracture. You are at increased risk for osteoporosis if:

• You are post menopausal
• There is not enough calcium or vitamin D in your diet
• You smoke
• You use certain medicines
• You don't exercise much
• You drink excessive amounts of alcohol

If you already have osteoporosis, falls or excessive strain on your back can put at risk for fractures.

You Can Protect Yourself
You can protect yourself from the dangers of osteoporosis by taking these steps:

• Assess your risk factors
• Learn how bones change over time
• Make sure your diet has enough calcium and vitamin D
• Get plenty of exercise
• Ask your doctor about medications to treat osteoporosis
• Prevent accidents by living safely

Living with Osteoporosis If you have osteoporosis, you may need treatment. But in addition to treatment, you can do a lot to reduce the effect of osteoporosis on your life. Knowing how to prevent fractures can help you live more comfortably and safely with this disease.

Reducing Your Risk of Fractures
The most common fracture sites in people with osteoporosis are the wrist, spine, and hip. Accidents and falls often cause these fractures. Most fractures are painful and may limit what you can do. But hip fractures are very serious. They require surgery, and it can take months to recover. To reduce your risk of fractures:

• Get regular exercise. Try walking, swimming or weight training.
• Make your home safe to help avoid accidents.
• Take your medicines for osteoporosis as directed by your physician.

Understanding Spinal Fractures
Your spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. Osteoporosis can cause the vertebrae in your spine to collapse. Spine fractures may result from placing excessive strain on your back. As a result, your upper back may arch forward, causing a curvature. Your lower spine then must adjust to keep your body balanced. This can cause back pain. You may also lose height. To prevent or lessen the impact of these spinal changes:

• Maintain good posture
• Use proper lifting techniques
• Lying on your back may reduce the pain
• Ask your healthcare provider about these and other ways to help you spine.

Get Regular Exercise
You can protect against fractures by exercising and by doing other physical activities. Exercises that increase muscle strength and improve flexibility help prevent falls. It's best to do a variety of exercises. Physical activity may slow further bone loss. It can also be fun.

• Check with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program.
• Use weights only as instructed.
• Stop any exercise that causes pain.

Resistance exercises build muscle strength and make you less prone to injury. Weight-bearing activities such as dancing, walking, and gardening, help your whole body and help you maintain bone mass. Non-weight-bearing exercises, such as swimming or water exercises, may help prevent back strain and pain. They do this by building the trunk and leg muscles.

Assess Your Risks for Osteoporosis
To help prevent osteoporosis or live with it safely, you need to know what factors put you at risk. Answering the questions below can help you find your risk factors.