Incidence of OsteoporosisEstimated per year:

500,000 spinal fractures 300,000 hip fractures 200,000 broken wrists 300,000 fractures of other bones

80% from minor falls

14-36% die within year of hip fracture

Health Care Costs: $14 billion per year

Characteristics of Osteoporosis:

• Low Bone Mass• Fragile, deteriorated

bones• Increased risk for

fracture

Location of Most Common Fractures:

• Wrist

• Spine

• Hip

Who Gets Osteoporosis?

• 50% of women over 50

• 90% of women over 75

• risk factors:

– lower body weight and muscle mass

– early menopause

– loss of periods for 3 months

– no pregnancy

• 30% of men over 50

• risk factors:

– short stature

– thin build

– weak hip muscles

– low testosterone

Females: Males:

Other Risk Factors

• Caucasian or Asian Ethnicity

• Smoking and high coffee intake

• Low calcium and Vitamin D intake

• Inadequate or excessive exercise

• Depression

• Certain medications

Life Style Changes to Reduce Risk

• Weight-bearing exercise

• Exercise to improve balance

• Well lit rooms with no throw rugs or other obstructions that lead to falls

• Shoes with thinner, hard soles

• Regular eye check-ups

Medications for Osteoporosis

• Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Raloxifene• Fosamax• Calcitonin• Parathyroid Hormone

Shots• Fluoride?

Calcium and Vitamin D

• Calcium Supplement- 1500 mg/day, not to exceed 2400 mg

• Calcium Citrate- best absorbed

• Dietary Intake- most important in adolescents

• In addition, do not eat excesses of meat, fish or poultry

Dietary Intake May Not Be Enough in Post Menopausal Women