5-12-09

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a crippling bone disease that affects 10 million Americans who are age 50 years and over.  And it’s believed that many more people may have it and do not know it.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by loss of bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue.  It can lead to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures.  Mary Mack, a licensed nurse practitioner at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the warning signs.

SOUND BITE: “Normally there is no symptom.  Occasionally there can be some back pain.  In case there could be a fracture in the spine that you’re not even aware of and the first symptom is pain.  Or one other way it’s found a lot of times, is if you notice a decrease in your height, because the spine starts to compress if there’s fractures or weakening and your height will decrease.”

The people at highest risk for the disease are white, thin women age 50 or over, but men also can have osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis can be detected by a bone density scan, an out-patient test, which is usually covered by insurance companies and Medicare.   Although there is no cure for the disease, medications are available to treat it.  She explains some treatments.

SOUND BITE: “There are several medications that can be prescribed by your physician.  Some of those include Fosamax®, Actonel®, Bonevia® – those are the most common ones.”

Mack says all women over the age of 50 and men who are at risk should take 1,200 milligrams of calcium along with Vitamin D each day.  If you or another adult in your family is losing height, it might be a sign of osteoporosis.  Contact a primary care physician for evaluation and possible treatment.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.