Often called a silent disease, osteoporosis affects millions. Many times, however, it is detected too late to prevent its sometimes life-altering effects. A disease of the bones, osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue. It can result in bone weakness and an increased susceptibility to fractures.

Dr. James M. Robinson, internist at Northlake Internal Medicine in Covington, describes the condition as “asymptomatic,” meaning there are no detectable symptoms. He adds that many times people do not even know they have the disease until they experience a fracture.

An estimated 10 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with osteoporosis; of those, 80 percent are women. In addition to gender, there are many other factors, such as age, that can determine who is at risk. The older the person, the greater the risk, because the bones become weaker and less dense with age. In addition, people with a family history of bone fractures are more likely to have a low bone mass themselves, which can lead to osteoporosis.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation website, race and body structure can also be risk factors. Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop the disease, but African-American and Hispanic women are also at risk. Small-boned women and women weighing less than 127 pounds are at an increased risk, as well.

One of the main reasons the disease affects more women than men is that once a woman reaches menopause, her chances of developing osteoporosis increase. Dr. Robinson says, “It affects women because when they become estrogen-deficient after menopause, their bones tend to weaken rapidly.”
Other important risk factors are lifestyle habits, such as cigarette smoking, drinking large quantities of alcohol, not consuming enough calcium, and not exercising - all of which can contribute to the development of osteoporosis.

Even if one falls into a general category of people at risk, there are things that can be done to help detect and treat the disease. A bone densitometry test, which measures bone density and can tell if a person has osteoporosis, is strongly suggested for all women who are near menopause. The test takes approximately 10 minutes and is completely painless. A number referred to as a T-score classifies the person’s bone density as normal, osteopenic - abnormally low bone density, but not in the range of osteoporosis - or full-blown osteoporosis. Dr. Robinson and his associates at Northlake Internal Medicine, Dr. Tania A. Levi and Dr. Ulrich A. Starke, offer the test to their patients on-site.

After the test, if a person is diagnosed as having osteoporosis, the doctor begins treatment, which consists of medication, exercise, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation. A patient showing no signs of osteoporosis should still be tested regularly, since the disease can develop at any time.

Steps can be taken to stop osteoporosis before it is too late. Some of the best prevention techniques are regular weight-bearing exercises, such as walking or running; considering hormone replacement; and taking vitamin D and calcium supplements.

There may also be a way to prevent the disease even earlier in life. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation website, building strong bones during childhood and adolescence is one of the best defenses against developing osteoporosis later in life. So, when mothers tell their children to finish all of their milk, they are not only helping them grow strong bones during childhood, but may be helping to prevent a serious disease in the future.

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