No Matter What Your Age- You are at Risk for Osteoporosis
by: Meredith Patrick, MSPT
Staff Therapist, New Brunswick

Osteoporosis affects about 25 million U.S. citizens and causes approximately 1.5 million fractures a year. Women are more likely to be affected by osteoporosis. Nearly two in every 5 females and one in eight males will sustain an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. 

What is osteoporosis?  
Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue which leads to an increased risk of bone fractures.

Ways to prevent osteoporosis  
Once a person has been diagnosed with osteoporosis, it is impossible to restore osteoporotic bone to normal. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions to prevent it at an early age. The following measures are important to follow during adolescence, since this is when the greatest skeletal growth occurs. However, these should be continued throughout your lifetime.

  • Adequate calcium intake (see chart below for daily intake amount)
  • Adequate vitamin D intake
  • Exercise  
Optimal Calcium Requirements
Group Optimal Daily Intake (in mg of calcium)
Infants  
Birth - 6 months 400
6 months – 1 year 600
Children
1 – 5 years 800
6 – 10 years 800 – 1200
Adolescents/Young Adults  
11 – 24 years  1200 – 1500
Men  
25 – 65 years 1000
Over 65 year 1500
Women    
25 – 50 years  1000
Over 50 years (postmenopausal)  
On estrogens 1000
Not on estrogens 1500
Over 65 years 1500
Pregnant and nursing 1200 – 1500
Osteoporosis and Menopause

A woman loses approximately 10-15% of her skeletal mass in the 5 to 7 years following the deprivation of estrogen at menopause. After that, age-related bone loss is about 1% a year. There are ways to combat this or at least slow the process. The prevention tips above will help, but your physician can prescribe estrogen replacement therapy and other medications to help prevent bone loss.

Treatment for Osteoporosis  

The best treatment is of course prevention, but once diagnosed, there are effective treatment techniques. They range from simple behavior modifications to extensive drug therapy. Some of these include:

  • Behavior modifications – in terms of alcohol and tobacco consumption
  • Nutritional instruction – optimizing calcium and vitamin D intake
  • Exercise – prescribed by physical therapist or physician
  • Postural Recommendations
  • Estrogen Replacement Therapy or medication for women going through menopause – again consult with your physician

In terms of getting into an exercise program for osteoporosis, a physical therapist is your best resource. They are well-educated on how osteoporosis affects the body and what type of exercise will be appropriate and effective for treating and/or preventing the disease. If you have osteoporosis or would like to begin an exercise program to reduce the risk of developing it, talk to your physician or physical therapist right away. Many physical therapy practices have specific Osteoporosis Programs, but all therapists at an orthopedic facility are trained to provide treatment for osteoporosis.

Remember- if you haven’t already, talk to your physician about your risk for developing osteoporosis and what you can do now to reduce that risk. 
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