Bone Up on Osteoporosis Facts!

The Western U.P. District Health Department has initiated an Osteoporosis program of outreach, education, screening, referral, and follow-up for women over 40 and men over 60 with risk factors for low bone density.

   More than 10 million Americans have Osteoporosis:

 About 80 percent of those with the disease are women. Half of all women older than 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Each year, osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures.  Almost all hip fracture are associated with Osteoporosis. Once she reaches 30, the average woman starts to gradually lose bone, and she can lose up to 20 percent of her bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause.  Noninvasive ultrasounds or x-rays are used to scan for low-bone density.  Women over 40 with risk factors and men and women over 60 should consider having bone density scans.

   Risk factors associated with Osteoporosis include:

Caucasian or Asian female Small, thin frame and/or weigh less than 127 pounds Diet low in dairy products and other sources of calcium (less than 1000 mg/day) Physical inactivity Smoking Consuming more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day Bone fracture as an adult Family history of the disease

   To help prevent osteoporosis and bone loss, adults should perform weight- bearing exercise three to four times a week and consume 1200 milligrams of calcium and 400 international units of Vitamin D daily.
   Medications to increase bone mass or slow bone loss are now available.

The Western U.P. Osteoporosis Project is funded in part by Michigan Public Health Institute and delivered locally in collaboration with Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center.