Better Bones Program

More than 25 million people suffer from osteoporosis – a disease that causes bones to become thin, weak, and prone to fractures. Though the disease primarily affects post-menopausal women, more than two million American men also have the disease.

Clark Memorial Hospital’s Better Bones Program was designed to educate the community on this debilitating disease and offer an array of prevention and treatment resources. For more information, see below, click on one of the links on the left, or call Clark Memorial Hospital at (812) 284-2582.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented, or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until the bone breaks, usually in the hip, wrist, or spine. Osteoporosis and its complications are not an inevitable part of aging.

Bone is a living growing tissue. Bone tissue is constantly being removed and replaced with new bone. Between the ages of 20 and 25, maximum bone density occurs.

After that time, the body begins to remove more bone than it can produce, which leads to a loss of bone density.

During menopause, women experience increased bone loss because the ovaries produce less estrogen. Estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone density. When bone loss is excessive, bones become fragile and could break.

Hip and spinal fractures are the most serious consequence of osteoporosis, sometimes leaving a person dependent on care. More than 50,000 people die each year from complications from hip fractures or from being confined to a bed.

Are You At Risk?

The following are some of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis. The more risk factors that apply to you, the greater your risk for developing osteoporosis.

Ø    Inadequate calcium intake as a child or adult.

Ø    Prolonged exposure to certain medications like steroids, anticonvulsants, certain cancer treatments, taking thyroid medications, and antacids containing aluminum.

Ø    Physically inactive.

Ø    Postmenopausal.

Ø    Early or surgically induced menopause.

Ø    Chronic disease that affects the kidneys, lungs, stomach, and intestines and alters hormone levels.

Ø    Smoking.

Ø    Excessive alcohol use.

Ø    Age: Bone loss increases with age.

Ø    Heredity.

Ø    Small, thin frame.

Ø    Race: Caucasians tend to be at greater risk for osteoporosis, followed by Asians and Latinos.

Ø    Low levels of testosterone.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis, take the following steps to ensure the health of your bones:

Calcium is one of the most important aspects of preventing osteoporosis. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, many Americans are not consuming enough calcium.

The following is the recommended daily calcium intakes according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation:

Quit smoking and decrease your alcohol intake.
Many medical experts believe that smoking prohibits absorption of calcium and Vitamin D, thus reducing bone density.

Exercise regularly.
Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, dancing, jogging, weight lifting, stair climbing, racquet sports, and hiking, can increase bone density.

Make sure that you get enough
Vitamin D.
Exposure to sunlight for about ten minutes per day will usually give you enough Vitamin D. However, supplements of 400 to 800 IU per day can be taken if sunlight exposure is limited.

Take A PIXI Screen.
A PIXI screening measures your bone density and can alert you to the possibility of osteoporosis. The screening takes less than five minutes. The PIXI measures the bone density of your heel and compares it to the average density for a person of a similar age. Clark Memorial Hospital offers FREE PIXI screenings in the Wellness Center every Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. and Thursday from 1-3 p.m.

Talk to your physician.
Many medical conditions may affect your bone health. Talk to your physician about your risk of osteoporosis.

Height:
Often, a “first sign” of osteoporosis is a reduction in height. Ask your physician if you notice a decrease in your height.

Diagnosis

Clark Memorial Hospital employs the latest technology to diagnose the early warning signs of osteoporosis: DXA scanning.

DXA scanning is a painless test that scans areas prone to bone loss, usually the hip and spine. The high-powered x-ray will produce a digital picture in about thirty seconds. Then the bone mineral density levels are compared with normal values to determine whether bone loss has occurred.

Your physician will then decide whether to begin an osteoporosis prevention or treatment program.

For more information on the DXA Scan, call Clark Memorial Hospital at (812) 283-1355.

Treatment

If your physician has determined that you do have osteopenia or osteoporosis, there are several treatments available. Currently the Food And Drug Administration  (FDA) has approved four medications for the prevention and treatment of the disease.

1. Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT): A substitution for estrogen, which is female hormone that protects women from bone loss and heart disease and reduces the incidence of fractures.
   
2. Alendronate: A bisphosphonate that slows or stops bone loss and reduces fracture risk.
   
3. Calcitonin: A naturally occurring hormone that is involved in calcium regulation and appears to reduce bone loss, especially in the spine.
   
4. Raloxifene: From a class of drugs called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs), it acts like a low dose of estrogen on bone, may protect against heart disease, and appears to reduce a woman’s risk for breast cancer.

Your physician will determine the treatment appropriate for you. Regular exercise, proper diet, and decreasing alcohol intake are also necessary components of treatment.

Living With Osteoporosis

In addition to specific medical treatments, a combination of medications and physical therapy can be used to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with osteoporosis.

There are several factors which can contribute to the improvement of quality of life, including:

1. Understanding the guidelines for good posture and muscle strength.
   
2. Institute lifestyle changes and organize your environment to avoid possible damaging situations, such as falling.
   
3. Begin a special exercise regimen to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles and maintain normal flexibility.
   
4. Maintain a positive attitude and follow the instructions of your physician.

For more information on ways to live with osteoporosis, consult with your physician, or call Clark Memorial Hospital at (812) 283-2582.

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