Olivia Owusu-Boakyewaah, MSW, QMHP, PhD.

Social Gerontologist / Mental Health Practitioner

Osteoporosis

What is a Gerontology?Gerontology is the study of aging and its

related illnesses. Gerontologists study diseases of older adults. We study the physical, mental, and social changes in people as they age and determine distinctions between normal aging as opposed to aging related to diseases. We also explore why older adults are increasingly vulnerable to disease and disability.

Aging and the Life SpanLifespan is the length of life for a human. If you live to age 99, that would be your

lifespan The maximum lifespan for humans,

reported in 2010, was 122.5 years for females and 116 years for males.

Researchers are finding that lifespan may be influenced by external factors, as well.

Factors Contributing to Lifespan

Factors….Genes – genetic make up of what we

inherit forour parents and family history

Environment – The circumstances or conditions that surround us.

Behavior traits – Things we do that distinguish one individual from another. Food choices, exercise etc.

What is aging?

• Aging includes all the changes that occur over the course of life. We are born, we grow, we develop, we reach maturity and we age.

• To the young, aging is exciting because it leads to more independence.

• By middle age, we begin to see changes like gray hair and wrinkles. This is the time when we begin to notice a fair amount of physical decline.

What is aging? (cont’d)

Even though we know that some physical decline may be part of normal aging, getting older can come with a variety of health challenges.

Some of these challenges include bone loss in the body.

Bones in the Body After our mid-30s, we begin to slowly lose bone

mass. Women lose bone mass faster after menopause than men.

Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief

• There are several kinds of bone disease. The most common is osteoporosis.

• What is Osteoporosis - Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones to the point where they break easily—most often bones in the hip, backbone (spine), and wrist.

• Osteoporosis is called the "silent disease"—because you may not notice any changes until a bone breaks. All the while, though, your bones had been losing strength for many years.

Decline in Bone as We Age

Normal Bone /Bone with Osteoporosis

Normal Bone Bone WithOsteoporosis

Bone Density• Silently and without warning, bones may begin

to weaken early in life if you do not have a healthy diet and the right kinds of physical activity.

• Many people already have weak bones and don’t know it. Others are making choices that will weaken their bones later.• This can be fatal.

• Fragile bones are not painful at first. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they have weakened bones until one breaks. By that time, it is hard to make the bones strong again.

How is osteoporosis related to menopause? There is a direct relationship between the lack of

estrogen after menopause and the development of osteoporosis. After menopause, bone breakdown outpaces the building of new bone. Early menopause (before age 45) and any prolonged periods in which hormone levels are low and menstrual periods are absent or infrequent can cause loss of bone mass.

How is osteoporosis related to menopause? (Cont’d) When a woman reaches menopause, her estrogen levels drop

and can lead to bone loss. For some women, this bone loss is rapid and severe.

Two major factors that affect your chance of getting osteoporosis are:

The amount of bone you have when you reach menopause. The greater your bone density is to begin with, the lower your chance of developing osteoporosis. If you had low peak bone mass or other risk factors that caused you to lose bone, your chance of getting osteoporosis is greater.

How fast you lose bone after you reach menopause. For some women, bone loss happens faster than for others. In fact, a woman can lose up to 20% of her bone density during the five - seven years following menopause. If you lose bone quickly, you have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis. 

Who is at risk?

• Anyone can get osteoporosis, • Women are more likely to get it than men. • You may be more likely to get it if you: • are over age 50 or as you age • Have a family history of broken bones or osteoporosis• smoking• have a low body weight and body frame• do not get enough exercise • drink alcohol (more than 3 drinks/day) • take certain medicines for a long time like seizure medicines or steroids• Have broken a bone while an adult• Had surgery to remove their ovaries before their periods stopped• Had early menopause• Have not gotten enough calcium throughout their lives• Had extended bed rest

Data on Osteoporosis?• It is reported that ten million Americans

have osteoporosis. They are mostly women.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?----- DIAGNOSIS -------• There are tests that use either x-rays or

sound waves to measure bone density. These tests are painless.

• Ask your doctor if you should be tested.• X-ray tests, called DXA scans, examine

your spine, hip, or wrist. DXA scans use very few x-ray waves.

• Newer sound wave tests, called ultrasounds, test your heel.

How Do I prevent Osteoporosis?You can prevent the risk of having Osteoporosis by engaging in the following:

Physical Activities DietVitamins.

Physical Activities Why being active makes your bones

strongWhen you jump, run, or lift a weight, it puts

stress on your bones. This sends a signal to your body that your bones need to be made stronger. New cells are added to strengthen your bones. If you are right-handed, the bones in your right arm are slightly larger and stronger from the extra use and vice versa

Physical Activities

Physical activity at least 30 minutes every day

 

Strength training 2-3 times a week  

Balance training once a week

Diet Bone Up On Your Diet Calcium To keep your bones strong, eat foods rich in calcium.

Diet - Cont’dCalcium is found in foods like milk, leafy green vegetables, and soybeans. Enjoy snacks of yogurt and cheese to increase your calcium. You can also take calcium supplements or eat food specially fortified with calcium.

Vitamins• Vitamin D which comes from the sun,

helps our body absorb calcium. As you grow older, our need for vitamin D goes up.

• For many, especially seniors, getting enough vitamin D from sunshine is not practical.

• Make sure you get enough vitamin D from our diet, sunshine, or supplements

Vitamins

Suggested Foods

Calcium Vitamin D Spinach Kale Okra Collards Soy beans White beans Some fish, like sardines,

salmon, perch, and rainbow trout

Foods that are calcium fortified, such as some orange juice, oatmeal, and breakfast cereal

Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon

Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals

Beef liver Cheese Egg yolks

Treating Osteoporosis

There is NO cure for osteoporosis. However, there are things you can do to slow it down.

Talk to your doctor to make a plan to keep your bones healthy.  

Prescription Medicines

• There are prescription medicines that you can take. These medicines come as a pill, a patch or a shot (injection).  Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you stop taking medicine.

Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are products that people add to their diets.

They include vitamins, powders, energy bars and herbs.

Talk to your doctor before you take any dietary supplements. These may affect your other medicines and make you sick.

Lifestyle Changes• There are lifestyle changes you can make

to lower your risk for osteoporosis.• Stay physically active. Do weight bearing

exercise like walking. • Do not smoke. • Limit alcohol use. • Get enough calcium and vitamin D in your

diet. Your doctor may suggest taking calcium and vitamin pills.

 

ConclusionExercise, good nutrition, regular health

screenings, getting vaccines, having enough sleep, and participating in activities you enjoy are just a few ways to promote healthy aging

Remember the longer you will live on earth is in your hands. God has given us the ability to live longer if we take good care of ourselves.

The Bible and Healthy Aging 1 Corinthians 6:19-20Or do you not know that your body is a

temple of the HolySpirit within you, whom you have from God,

and that you arenot your own? 20 for you were bought with a

price; thereforeglorify God in your body”.

Questions

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Sources Website: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov   FDA Office of Women’s Health                                                                www.fda.gov/womens                                                                               National Institutes of Health (NIH)                                                 www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/

Osteoporosis/                                                                                                       

Medline Plus                                                                                                                       

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/osteoporosis.html National Institute on Aging. Health Information. Publications. Age Page.

Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief. www.nia.nih.gov Accessed 3/14/2011 North American Menopause Society. Menopause Guidebook: Helping Women

Make Informed Healthcare Decisions Around Menopause and Beyond. www.menopause.org Accessed 3/14/2011

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Publication. Patient Education: Osteoporosis www.acog.org Accessed 3/14/2011