1. Disease Description

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that affects mainly the hips, spine and wrists. This disease is most

prevalent among adults age 50 and older. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health

(2013), osteoporosis is a major health threat to 44 million Americans; ten million actually suffer from

osteoporosis while another 34 million are at risk. There are about 1.5 million Michigan residents who are

affected by osteoporosis and low bone mass. According to Web MD (2013), of people 50 years of age

and older, 55% are at significant risk for osteoporosis (p.1). According to Center for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) morbidity rates (2013), two percent of men 50 years of age and older and ten percent

of women 50 years of age and older have osteoporosis in the hips. Sylvia Marten (2009) stated that

researchers concluded that compared to the general population, people are at higher risk at dying

following a hip fracture , spine fracture or any other fracture for five years post-fracture. But minor

fractures showed an increased risk of death in those 75 and older. After five years, the risk of death

declines, except for hip fractures, with which the risk remains for ten years, and after ten years, the death

rates were no different from that of an appropriately age-matched population.

2. Etiology

Some known risk factors that osteoporosis has depends on your age, gender, ethnicity, family

history, and your history of previous fracture. Women are at a higher risk than men at having osteoporosis

because they tend to have smaller bones and lose more bone more rapidly than men because of the

hormone changes that tends to occur after menopause. The older you are, the more likely you are to get

osteoporosis. Caucasian and Asian women have the highest risk of getting osteoporosis. Family history

also plays a role in osteoporosis. If any one of your family members happens to break a bone there is a

greater chance that you will too. Also if you have had any fractures after the age of 50 you are also at a

higher risk of having another (NIH Senior Health, 2013).

3. Symptoms

There are no known symptoms until a fracture happens. Women and men tend to break bones

only in the hip, spine, and wrist. But having a fracture when you are older can be a warning sign that the

bone is weaker than optimal. Sometimes people are unaware that they have already experienced a spine

fracture. Losing one inch or more could be a first sign that someone has already experienced a spine

fracture due to osteoporosis. Having multiple spine fractures can cause a curved spine, back pain, stooped

posture and back fatigue. Women and men who have had fractures in the past are at a higher risk of

having another one. Having a fracture over the age of 50 or several fractures even before 50 could be a

warning sign a person already developed osteoporosis. But people over the age of 50 who experienced a

fracture should consult a doctor about getting evaluated (NIH Senior Health, 2013).

4. Prevention, Testing, and Treatment

There are four simple steps in protecting your bones against osteoporosis. The first step is dieting

and exercising right. You’ll need a well-balanced diet that is rich in calcium and vitamin D, a regular

exercise program and in some cases even medication. You should also fall-proof your home and change

your lifestyle. Secondly getting enough calcium can help protect your bones by slowing down bone loss.

Women over 50 should intake 1,200 mg of calcium a day. Men between the ages of 51-70 should intake

1,000 mg a day and men over 70 should intake 1,200 mg a day. Some foods that are rich in calcium are

yogurt, cheese, low-fat milk, dark green leafy vegetables, etc. Lastly to prevent falls and fractures try

keeping the room clutter free, anchor carpets and area rugs, wear rubber-soled shoes, and have regular eye

exams (NIH Senior Health, 2013 ).

A test used to diagnose osteoporosis is called a bone density test. A bone density test measures

how strong or how dense your bones are and can help your doctor determine your risk for having a

fracture. How exactly does a bone density test works? A bone density test works by comparing your bone

density to a healthy young adult. The T-score which is the test result tells your doctor how strong your

bones are and if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia and if you are at risk of having any fractures.

Women over the age of 65 should be screened for osteoporosis and women who are 60 and older who

have increased risk for an osteoporosis related fracture (NIH Senior Health, 2013).

Unfortunately there is no cure for osteoporosis, but it can be treated. There is also no specific

doctor who treats people for osteoporosis. Four types of drugs that are available for you take are

alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate and zoledronic which are all from a class of drugs called

bisphosphates. They all help slow down bone loss, reduce fracture risks and even in some cases increase

bone density. Women take estrogen to help treat menopause and osteoporosis and raloxifene is to treat

past menopause. Another medication that is available for women to take is calcitonin it’s to treat women

who have osteoporosis who are at least five years past menopause. Teriparatide and denosumab can be

taken by both women and men. Both help stimulate new bone formation it is also approved for use in

postmenopausal women and men who are at high risk of fractures (NIH Senior Health, 2013).

5. How Osteoporosis Affects People’s Daily Lives and What Complications May Develop

Some ways that osteoporosis can affect people’s daily lives and functioning is that you have to be

more careful about everything. Pain is another way that can affect your ability to do everyday activities

around your home. Lifting and carrying things can be another problem as well because you can feel pain

in your back, hips and even arms. One of the most obvious complications of osteoporosis is breaking the

bones. For example, if you were to break your hip your likely to be less independent.

References

Causes of Osteoporosis. (2013). WebMD. Retrieved from

http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/strong-bones?page=2

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013, May 30). Osteoporosis. Retrieved from Center for

Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/osteoporosis.htm

Michigan Department of Community Health. (2013). About Osteoporosis. Retrieved from Michigan

Department of Community Health website: http://michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-

2940_2955_2978---,00.html

NIH Senior Health. (2013). Osteoporosis. Retrieved from NIH Senior Health website:

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/osteoporosis/whatisosteoporosis/01.html

Marten, S. (2009, May 21). Osteoporosis Fractures Increase Risk of Death, Study Shows. Retrieved from

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/osteoporosis-fractures-increase-risk-death-study-shows