Osteoporosis
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a major, and almost entirely preventable, cause of ill health in older people, particularly women.
In osteoporosis, the amount of bone in our bodies is reduced. This happens because calcium and bone tissue are lost as we get older. The inner sponge-like part of bones becomes weaker and the outer shell gets thinner.
This results in weak bones that are more likely to fracture (break) with minor injuries. The hips, the spine and the wrists are particularly prone to these fractures.
Who is most at risk?
Elderly women are particularly prone to this problem. Often the bones in their spines are affected, leading to tiny compression or ‘crush’ fractures. This results in the ‘humpback’ appearance often seen in these women. About one in 2 Australian women over 60 will sustain a fracture due to osteoporosis at some stage in their later life.
Those most at risk of osteoporosis are people who have a light frame, do not exercise much and have a diet low in calcium. People who smoke and drink heavily are also more likely to develop osteoporosis. So are those who have to take steroid medications long-term for other medical conditions.
Osteoporosis Australia recommends that men and women over 19 years of age have a daily intake of at least 800 mg of calcium per day, with women after menopause upping their intake to at least 1000 mg of calcium per day.
Many women start to show signs of osteoporosis after the menopause. At this stage in life there is a reduction in oestrogen, a female sex hormone. This hormone protects against bone loss and its absence makes osteoporosis much more likely.
Recent developments in the management of osteoporosis
Until recently the management of osteoporosis had been aimed at trying to stop it happening and, if it did, trying to stop it getting worse.
Recent developments now mean that we can treat osteoporosis and in some cases actually reverse the bone loss. New medications are available which increase the body's ability to absorb calcium and stimulate new bone growth.
A special X-ray test known as bone densitometry can detect those with, or at risk of, osteoporosis. Early detection and treatment can prevent a lot of potentially serious troubles later on.
Last Reviewed: 25 February 2003
