Did you know that healthy bones have compression strength greater than that of reinforced concrete? Unfortunately, osteoporosis can rob them of that strength, leaving patients at high risk for debilitating fractures. Anna Fisher, MD, is a specialist in family medicine. As she explained, “Most people don’t realize the serious repercussions of osteoporosis, including pain, suffering and depression; limitations on activities and increased mortality rates.”
Prevention is the First Line of Defense
According to Endocrinologist Vasti Broadstone, MD, “Prevention is extremely important. Peak bone formation years are between the ages of 10 and 20. Weight- bearing exercise plus a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, which can be activated by as little as 10 minutes of daily sun or UV light exposure to the skin, all contribute to healthy bones. When you build strong, dense bones in your youth, you have a good reservoir to draw on as the breakdown of bone tissue begins to outpace its buildup later in life. We need to get this across to our young people, particularly girls, whose risk of osteoporosis later in life is greater.”
“Simple, accurate diagnostic tests for osteoporosis are available, and treatments are very effective. They can start preventing fractures in as little as the first six months.”
-Anna Fisher,
MD Board Certified Specialist in Family Medicine Renaissance Family Medicine
Who Should be Screened?
According to Dr. Fisher, “Post-menopausal women and men over 60 should be screened. However, certain factors that increase your likelihood of developing osteoporosis should also be taken into consideration in determining when to be screened. Risk factors include a history of corticosteroid use, family history of hip fracture, a previous fracture, cigarette smoking, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalance and alcohol intake.” Women’s Imaging Center Offers Simple, Safe and Accurate Screenings A screening called pDXA (Peripheral Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a quick, basic test that measures bone density in the heel. If density is low, your physician will likely recommend a scan using DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) technology. It is a non-invasive test that gives an accurate reading of bone density in the hips, spine and other areas of the body.
Options for Effective Treatment
Biphosphonates are among the most common treatments for osteoporosis. They include medications such as Fosamax® and Boniva®. An exciting new option is Reclast®. According to Dr. Broadstone, “Reclast is a new way to administer treatment. It is wonderful for people who can’t take oral medications due to problems like reflux, or who can’t sit or stand for a period of time after taking them. Reclast is given by infusion just once a year, and is available as an outpatient procedure at the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Floyd Memorial. Several other new treatments are also available, including Forteo®, which patients can inject on a daily basis, and Evista®, which is taken orally.
“Reclast® is a new way to administer treatment. It is wonderful for people who can’t take the oral medications due to problems like reflux, or who can’t sit or stand for a period of time after taking them. Reclast is given by infusion, just once a year, and is available as an outpatient procedure at the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate.”
-Vasti Broadstone,
MD Board Certified Endocrinologist Medical Director,
Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Floyd Memorial
