Sept. 18-22 is Fall Prevention Week. Falls remain a leading cause of injury for people ages 65 and older, according to the National Council on Aging. And if you have osteoporosis, your risk of fracture with a fall increases.
Osteoporosis Risk
By definition, osteoporosis means “porous bone.” It is a common disease that affects 54 million people in the United States and is characterized by low bone mass, changes in bone architecture and disrupted bone growth, resulting in increasing fragility and fracture.
Providers should assess risk factors for fracture in all adults, especially postmenopausal women and anyone over age 50 who has experienced fragility or low-trauma fracture. Women should begin bone-density testing at age 65.
Other osteoporosis risk factors include:
- Being a White or Asian woman.
- Family history of osteoporosis.
- Personal history of broken bones or height loss.
- Low body weight.
- Heavy alcohol use.
- Inactivity.
- Inadequate calcium and vitamin D levels and not eating enough fruits and vegetables.
- Certain medicines, such as chronic steroids and seizure or reflux medications.
- Underlying medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and multiple myeloma or absorptive disorders like celiac disease.
Osteoporosis and Fractures
When you have osteoporosis, a fracture can occur from falling or mild stresses, such as bending over or even sneezing. The most serious are bone fractures in the spine and hip.
Osteoporotic fractures typically require hospitalization. In patients who are independent prior to a hip fracture, approximately 40% regain their previous level of functioning afterward and 20% require long-term nursing home care.
Besides falls, osteoporosis also can lead to increasing pain. For elderly patients, experience with a vertebral or hip fracture puts them at risk for recurrent fractures and hospitalization for falls, pneumonia, urinary tract and other infections, and increased risk of blood clots.
Prevention and Treatment
Osteoporosis is preventable and can be reversible. It is important to have routine checkups, especially if you are already at high risk for osteoporosis. Providers should counsel their patients on osteoporosis and provide fall-prevention counseling, recommendations for lifestyle modifications and even pharmacologic intervention.
Patients with osteoporosis should do weight-bearing exercises, such as walking for 30 minutes at least five times a week, regularly. Start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time and number of days you walk.
Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, limit your alcohol and do not smoke.
Finally, talk with your doctor about bone-density testing. Do not ignore the importance of prevention and routine screening.
– Dr. Nokuthula Msimanga is board-certified in family medicine, geriatrics and palliative medicine at Northside Hospital. She sees patients at Medical Associates of North Georgia in Canton.
Leave a Reply