Osteoporosis is a rising problem among the aging population.
By Jenna Hughes
Bones are the foundation of the body. Just as the foundation of a building holds a structure together, bones support the body throughout a lifetime. Bones hold all the body’s weight, allowing the ability to move. Good bone health is imperative to maintain overall health.
According to Claire Gill, CEO of The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, primary care physicians play a important role in a patient’s bone health by emphasizing a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and doing regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises.
The opposite of good bone health is osteoporosis, a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, too little bone, or both. This may cause bones to break from falls, injuries, or minor bumps.
The origin of the disease’s name “osteoporosis” means porous bone. According to the Foundation, “healthy bone looks like honeycomb viewed under a microscope. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than healthy bone.” Less dense bones mean they are more likely to break.
Osteoporosis progressively weakens bones and can cause numerous health complications if gone unnoticed. It is important to get tested for prevention. Gill said the key test to determine bone health is a tool known as the DXA scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). “This is also referred to as a bone density test,” Gill said. “It is very simple and only takes a few minutes. It’s non-invasive and you don’t even have to take off your clothes.”
According to Gill, osteoporosis is a rising problem among the aging population, “Each year, approximately 2 million people break a bone due to osteoporosis. Most remain unaware of their fracture risk until they break a bone. Fractures from osteoporosis are more prevalent in women than breast cancer, heart disease or diabetes. And the consequence to patients can be every bit as catastrophic.” About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, which places them at higher risk for osteoporosis. For older patients, breaking a bone is a serious complication of the disease. Older patients are more likely to break bones in the hip and spine, which can cause serious complications and difficult surgeries.
Build healthy bones
You are never too young to improve bone health. According to Gill, “We build our strongest and most dense bones by the time we’re in our mid-20s. This is called peak bone mass. Our bones are living tissue, so throughout our lives, our bones break down and rebuild continuously. We build and maintain bone health and strength by eating a well-balanced diet that includes calcium and vitamin D (these nutrients are the essential building blocks of our bones) and getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise – this means walking, running, jumping, dancing – exercise that is on our feet. Swimming and cycling are great for our heart health, but don’t help with maintaining strong bones.” Prevention of osteoporosis can begin as young as childhood. Taking steps to increase bone health early on can prevent pain and complications later in life.
Treatment for osteoporosis takes a whole-person approach. Patients diagnosed are encouraged to get enough dietary calcium, take vitamin D, participate in regular exercise, and avoid smoking and excess alcohol. Older individuals are encouraged to take steps to make their living spaces fall-proof. There are medications available for the treatment of osteoporosis, and healthcare providers can assist in finding one that works best for the individual.
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Prevention osteoporosis
The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation aims to prevent osteoporosis and reduce human suffering with the disease through awareness. This includes bone health education throughout a lifespan, empowering individuals with osteoporosis, ensuring comprehensive post fracture care, and expanding resources and reach.
In 2022, BHOF worked on several projects that help osteoporosis patients learn more about disease management. The new online tool called “Your Path to Good Bone Health” provides information on how to prevent bone loss, maintain good bone health, and manage a diagnosis. BHOF also launched a pilot program in Maryland and North Carolina that aims to improve the care received after a fracture to determine if a patient has osteoporosis called “Fracture Liaison Service (FLS),” according to Gill.
In 2023, the Foundation’s strategic goals, according to Gill, include working with a coalition of 30 organizations in the bone health field to persuade the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to include an FLS reimbursement model in its physician fee service proposed rule, so that bone care receives the same priority as cardiac care, diabetes care, and opioid usage disorder care.