Calcium intake, exercise key in staving off osteoporosis

Editor's note: This story first appeared in the summer issue of Flourish magazine. To subscribe, call 388-2785.

Bones break. But as women grow older, breaks become more common because of osteoporosis: a disease of the skeletal system identified by low-bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, also called "porous bone." Bones become soft or brittle and break more easily.

"The cause is simple, but complicated," said registered nurse Tracy Smith of Beacon Health Center. "[It is] losing bone mass more quickly than your body can produce bone mass."

Half of all women and one in four men older than 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis, studies show.

White and Asian women have the highest risk. Others at risk include post-menopausal women, older adults and those small in body size, plus anyone eating a diet low in calcium or who doesn't get enough physical activity, Smith said.

Osteoporosis is often found in postmenopausal women because of a lack of estrogen hormone, said Dr. Wu Wen, an endocrinologist at SoutheastHEALTH Endocrinology in Cape Girardeau.

Endocrinology is a medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to hormones.

"Menopause puts you at high risk," he said.

Smoking, which contributes to weak bones; drinking alcohol, which can interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium; and drinking carbonated beverages all increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, Wen said. People who frequently take steroids or anti-seizure medications also have a higher risk of developing the disease because those medications inhibit the bone rebuilding process.

The most common side effects of osteoporosis are bone fractures, particularly in spinal bones or vertebrae, the wrists, ankles and hips.

"These fractures can happen easily with a fall, or in the case of the vertebrae, the bone can actually 'crumble' even without an injury," Smith said. Simple fractures can be painful and inconvenient, but with cases such as hip fractures, complications can be life-threatening.

Osteoporosis has no cure, only treatments.

Wen compared the human body to a car: As one puts miles on a car over time, the vehicle gradually wears down. The human body is the same way, he said. As a person grows older, their body wears down and the risk of health issues and problems increases.

One way to prevent osteoporosis is to speak to a health-care professional about how much calcium and vitamin D to take daily. "Even if you drink a lot of milk and eat a lot of dairy, most of us, especially women, need a [calcium] supplement," Smith said.

Bone health is also something parents need to be aware of for their children. The more bone mass people build as children, while bones are still growing, the better chance they have of avoiding osteoporosis as adults.

"A lifelong lack of calcium plays a major role in the development of osteoporosis," according to the Mayo Clinic's website. "Low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures."

Another way to combat osteoporosis is with regular weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging or weightlifting."Exercise definitely improves bone density and quality" of dynamic bone tissue, Wen said.

Bone density tests are another way to stay on top of osteoporosis and prevent potentially life-threatening side effects."The best treatment is prevention," Smith said.

ashedd@semissourian.com

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