Osteoporosis
Last updated Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Incidence and risk factorsIncidence In the USA,
about 45% of postmenopausal women have low bone density. The lifetime risk of a
fracture of the hip, spine or forearm is 40% in white women and 13% in white
men. African-Americans have fewer fractures than people of other races.
Worldwide the rates of osteoporosis are variable, but in every country age is
one of the most important risk factors. As more people live longer lives, the
number of those with osteoporosis will also increase.Acquisition Osteoporosis has many causes. Most people who get fractures from
osteoporosis have more than one reason, and some people have five or six
reasons. These are called risk
factors. The most important risk factors
are age, Caucasian or Asian race, female gender, parent with a hip fracture,
chronic medical disease, use of certain medications (including prednisone,
seizure drugs), cigarette smoking, thin weight, decreased estrogen levels, poor
muscle strength or balance, and poor nutrition.Genetics Heredity plays an important role in osteoporosis. It is estimated that 80% of the strength of
the skeleton is inherited from a person's mother and father. The other 20% depends on
"life-style", such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol, and medical
diseases.
There
is not a single gene which causes osteoporosis.
Instead, there are several genes, and when they act together they can
cause the disease.Communicability Osteoporosis is not contagious. Certain infections, however, can act like
osteoporosis and cause fractures.
World-wide, the most common infection to cause fractures is
tuberculosis, which can result in fractures of the spine that can look just
like osteoporotic fractures.Lifestyle risk factors Lifestyle risk factors are important contributing causes
of osteoporosis. To achieve the best
bone strength, people should:
- Exercise,
exercise, exercise! Walking is
especially good because it is safe for all ages.
- Eat the recommended amount of calcium.
- Maintain a healthy level of vitamin D through dairy
products, vitamin D pills, or sunshine exposure.
- Avoid cigarette
smoking.
- Don't diet excessively, or try to be
"fashionably" thin.
- Don't drink more than 2 alcoholic beverages a
day.
Injury & trauma risk factors Osteoporosis does not result from injury, but when a
person with osteoporosis suffers from a fall, or other minor injury, then the
bones will break. When there is a major
injury, such as a car accident, persons with osteoporosis are more likely to
get serious fractures.Surgery for Osteoporosis at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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