Young People At Risk For Osteoporosis

Though many people associate osteoporosis with elderly women, more young people are being diagnosed with the debilitating disease. Terry, a nurse at Clark Memorial Hospital, was unaware of her risk until she was told her bone density was dangerously thin. She was only 38 at the time.

“I always considered myself very healthy,” she says. “I have three boys, so I am very active. I also exercise and drink milk. I was shocked when I found out I had osteoporosis.”

Unfortunately, Terry is not alone. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, about 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and 18 million have low bone mass, or osteopenia.

“One of the leading causes of osteoporosis is poor dietary habits during childhood,” says Dr. Agnes Bacala, family practice physician at Clark Memorial Hospital. According to the National Institutes of Health, only 10 percent of girls and 25 percent of boys between the ages of 9 and 17 get enough calcium in their diet by eating dairy products and vegetables.

“By about age 20, 98 percent of all bone mass has been formed,” continues Bacala. “Afterwards, bone mass begins to deteriorate steadily in both men and women. If the bones are not completely formed, the bones become brittle and are susceptible to fractures or breaks.”

“When I was a teenager, I drank sodas instead of drinking milk,” Terry admits. “So I really lacked calcium when I needed it the most. I also was a big coffee drinker.”

Dr. Bacala warns that many foods contribute to bone loss, including caffeine. Diuretics, such as coffee, also cause the body to excrete calcium more often than is normal. Large amounts of sodium can also contribute to the loss of bone mass. The normal intake of sodium should be 2,400 mg a day. However, most Americans tend to take as much as 6,000 mg a day.

Even some athletes are at risk if their diets do not contain the right foods. Some studies indicate that female athletes who have insufficient estrogen or who eliminate meat from their diet are at great risk for osteopenia.

Also, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding need to be sure they are taking the right amount of calcium for themselves and their baby. These women should receive 1,300 mg of calcium a day if they are under 18 years old, or 1,000 mg if they are over 19 years old.

In addition to poor diets, young women and men who have eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, can lose 25 to 50 percent of their bone mass within six months to one year after the disorders have become severe.

Young children who take steroids to treat rheumatoid arthritis or asthma are at great risk for bone loss. In fact, if they lose too much bone density, they could develop osteoporosis by their teens. Terry had asthma as a child and was on steroids and steroid inhalers, which she admits probably added to her bone loss.

According to Bacala, it is very important that prevention of osteoporosis should begin during childhood. She suggests:
· A balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D
· Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, dancing, jogging, stair climbing, racquet sports, and hiking.
· A healthy lifestyle with no smoking or excessive alcohol, and
· Bone density testing and medication when appropriate.

Terry discovered her condition after receiving a free screening at Clark Memorial Hospital. Afterwards, she discussed the results with her doctor, who then ordered a DEXA test. The DEXA is a high-powered x-ray that measures the density of your spine and hipbones. The test confirmed that Terry had osteoporosis.

“In doing my own research after my diagnosis, I realized I had many of the classic symptoms for the disease,” she says. “Both my grandmother and mother had osteoporosis, I did not consume enough calcium as a teenager and while breastfeeding, I took steroids as a child, and I ate too many bad foods.”

“If diagnosed early enough, bone density can be increased and bone loss can be repaired,” says Bacala. “So it is important to detect any troubles now.”

Terry is currently taking one of the prescription drugs that combat the disease She is also watching her diet and doing weight-bearing exercises. Since her diagnosis, she has gained some bone mass back and has greatly reduced the rate of bone loss.

“I am very fortunate to have been diagnosed early so hopefully I can avoid some of the many problems associated with osteoporosis,” she says.

If you would like more information on osteoporosis, Clark Memorial Hospital will be hosting a free luncheon on Wednesday, May 9th in the hospital’s conference center from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Prior to the luncheon, free osteoporosis screenings will be given. To RSVP, please call 284-3754.

Or if you would like to ask a specific question to one of our health care professionals, visit www.clarkmemorial.org and select Ask A Nurse.

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