In Canada, at least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will have a fracture due to osteoporosis during their lifetime. That's why it's important to consult with your pharmacist, who can help by providing prevention information and how to care for this bone disease.
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Osteoporosis is a bone disease where parts of the bone become weak and prone to fracture. It can affect men and women of all ages, but is most common in seniors. Osteoporosis is responsible for a large number of bone fractures that occur when weakened bones can no longer support their body weight.
While men also develop osteoporosis, this condition is particularly common among women who have reached menopause. The increased risk at menopause reflects the fact that the hormone estrogen, a key factor in maintaining bone strength in women, is no longer produced by the ovaries.
Because women have 30% less bone mass than men, women are particularly prone to osteoporosis as they age. However, after reaching 65 to 70 years of age, men and women lose bone at about the same rate.
Bone is made up mostly of minerals such as calcium. The bones in our bodies are constantly being broken down and replaced with new bones. This bone-building cycle takes about 100 days and is influenced by the hormones produced in our bodies (such as estrogen in women) as well as by the levels of calcium and vitamin D. Osteoporosis occurs when bone tissue and minerals are lost faster than the bone is replaced.
The rate of bone loss increases significantly after menopause because the ovaries stop producing estrogen, a hormone that plays a major role in the bone repair process. Women who suffer from anorexia nervosa may also be at increased risk of osteoporosis. In both cases, the menstrual cycle is disrupted or lost, and levels of estrogens in the body drop dramatically. Women who experience early menopause (before 45 years of age) are more likely to have osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis tends to run in families, and the risk of this condition is greater for individuals with elderly relatives who have had more than one bone fracture. People of European and Asian descent are also at risk. People who are thin or "small-boned" also have a higher risk of osteoporosis. People who have had a fracture in the vertebrae, or who have first degree relatives with fractures later in life, are also at increased risk.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol and caffeine intake can contribute to osteoporosis. Certain medications (such as corticosteroids), and having specific health conditions such as diseases that affect nutrition absorption (e.g., Crohn's disease, celiac disease), primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and inflammatory arthritis may also contribute to bone loss. People with type 2 diabetes may be more likely to suffer hip or shoulder fractures than those without diabetes.
The bone is a living tissue that, like the muscles, gradually becomes stronger with exercise. Physically active people tend to have higher peak bone density than sedentary people, meaning they are less likely to lose strength with age. By contrast, a person who is sedentary (e.g., bedridden for a long time) can lose bone mass very quickly and is at high risk of osteoporosis.
Calcium and vitamin D are very important to the maintenance of healthy and strong bones throughout life and in the development of peak bone mass in children. It is very difficult to get adequate calcium through diet alone, and it is very difficult to get enough vitamin D, particularly during winter months, through diet alone.
If you're taking osteoporosis medication(s), your pharmacist can help you manage symptoms and side effects, review your medications, and more.
The following groups are at increased risk of osteoporosis:
Prevention includes getting adequate calcium and vitamin D, regular weight-bearing and strength-training exercises, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, and maintaining a healthy body weight. There are several medications that can be used to treat osteoporosis. Many of these treatments may also be used to prevent osteoporosis for people who are at high risk of developing it.
Osteoporosis Canada recommends 1,200 mg of elemental calcium daily for women over 50 and men over 70, and 800 IU of vitamin D for adults over 70 or those at high risk. Your pharmacist can help you choose appropriate supplements.
While osteoporosis cannot be completely reversed, treatment can help slow bone loss, increase or maintain bone density, and reduce fracture risk. Early detection and treatment are key to managing the condition effectively.
If your doctor determines that you do have risk factors for fracture or osteoporosis (such as being 65 years or older or having had a fracture in the past), there are several effective and relatively quick tests that measure bone mineral density (BMD). If the results show that your bone density is too low, your doctor will likely diagnose you with osteoporosis.
If your doctor decides that you require medication to treat osteoporosis, BMD testing may be conducted every 1 to 3 years to see if the therapy is working.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Osteoporosis
